Former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has thrown his name into the hat of contenders bidding to become EP rugby’s next head coach.
Insiders said Coetzee’s name was among several candidates who had been shortlisted to help get EP back into the top tier of SA rugby.
EP rugby bosses threw a veil of secrecy over the list of contenders after they invited applications for the vacant position during September.
The Herald, however, learnt from two sources that Coetzee’s name is among the contenders for one of the toughest jobs in SA rugby.
Also on the list is Dumisani Mhani, who coached the EP team in 2024 and has confirmed that he will reapply for the position.
It is believed candidates will be interviewed next week and an appointment will be made by November 1.
“There will be some surprises among the list of candidates and Allister Coetzee is one of them,” an insider said.
“It remains to be seen whether EP will be able to afford Coetzee’s services. There have been a number of applications.”
Whoever lands the job will drive the union’s bid to win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division in 2025.
If Coetzee gets the nod he will be the second former Bok coach to take charge at the union after Peter de Villiers was appointed in 2020.
Coetzee, who coached Namibia at the 2023 World Cup, has also coached the Stormers, Japanese clubs Kobelco Steelers, Canon Eagles and Rovigo in Italy.
He coached the Springboks from 2016 to 2018 before he was axed after a poor run of results.
Born in Makhanda, Coetzee coached EP from 2001 to 2003 and has strong links with the union after also playing for them between 1992 and 1996.
Before the unification of different rugby union governing bodies in SA, Coetzee represented Saru, playing as a scrumhalf between 1985 and 1991.
He was a Junior Springbok in 1992 and played Currie rugby for EP between 1992 and 1996.
If EP Rugby wants to regain its former glory, after years of playing in the lower tier, they must go flat out to win promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division in 2025.
A precise strategy is required for them to finish among the top four clubs in the SA Cup, which will guarantee the return of top flight rugby to Gqeberha.
Achieving a top-four finish will not be easy, because EP will be up against the Cheetahs, Pumas, Griquas, Griffons, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles, Boland Cavaliers, Falcons and Leopards for a top-tier berth.
The first step in achieving this goal appears to have been taken when EP Rugby placed an advertisement for a Currie Cup head coach.
The decision to advertise for a coach comes after incumbent Mhani led EP to the 2024 Currie Cup First Division final after a season many deemed to be successful.
EP were cruelly beaten by Boland after extra time after the most tries scored rule was invoked to decide a winner.
After guiding EP to the final, it was thought Mhani’s contract would be automatically extended.
Asked for comment on the surprise advertisement, Mhani said he would apply for the vacant position.
In a letter to SA Rugby and EP clubs, EP have declared the head coach position vacant and have invited interested people to apply.
When he was appointed on a one-year contract in 2021, Mhani said he wanted to awaken SA rugby’s sleeping giant and put EP back on the map.
The job advert says the successful applicant must take ownership of the EP Currie Cup and SA squad across all areas.
The experience and coaching qualifications needed are a World Rugby Level 3 Certificate or equivalent and a minimum of seven to 10 years’ experience in rugby player talent identification, coaching, administration, high performance, rugby planning, management, coaching and experience in player profiling.
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