Burning question: Will new Bok coach be handcuffed?

I'm not sure that rugby fans are holding their collective breath in anticipation of Tuesday's (April 12th) announcement by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) of the new Springbok coach to take the reins from Heyneke Meyer.

It's no big secret that former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee appears to be the 'preferred candidate' identified by SARU's Executive Council - and no surprise would seem to be on the cards.

Coetzee has been involved in club rugby in Japan since vacating the Stormers/WP hot seat.

The South African Super Rugby coaching landscape is such at present that the bulk of the coaches - barring Lions mentor Johan Ackermann - are in their maiden season in charge of a local franchise in the southern hemisphere's premier rugby competition.

Ackermann, who has made huge strides with the Lions since their return to Super Rugby, has already ruled himself out by renewing his contract with the Jo'burg franchise for at least another two years. 

Robbie Fleck (Stormers), Nollis Marais (Bulls) and Deon Davids (Southern Kings), although, having served their time at age group or Currie Cup levels, are still top level rookies when it comes to coaching pedigree, while Sharks Director of Rugby Gary Gold served under Pieter de Villiers.

Rassie Erasmus was also linked to the job, but constantly distanced himself from the position.

General consensus is that Coetzee is the best man for the job at present and seemingly the only option.

He has been exposed to Springbok structures before in his capacity as an assistant coach, but the question is always whether Coetzee would be left to his own devices or to dance to someone else's tune.

In this respect, the question is also raised whether the incoming coach will be tasked with appointing his own technical and management support staff, or whether that would be left in the hands of his employers.

The SARU General Council -- not to be mistaken for the Executive Council -- are empowered to hand-pick the Bok management team.

So it seems, unlike in the appointment of Heyneke Meyer, Coetzee may have very little say in the composition of his management team and support staff.

Rugby Directors in the Gary Gold and Gert Smal mould have become commonplace and it may be the route that SARU opt to go. Rassie Erasmus is already in a senior national role and he may even become the designated puppet master in the broader Bok set-up.

But one can't help fearing in that instance, Coetzee may be forced to coach with his hands tied behind his back. Whether the former Stormers/WP mentor will allow that, is questionable.

Fragments of Heyneke Meyer's management team, like team manager Ian Schwartz and current backline coach Johan van Graan are likely to be retained, but it would appear as if the entire management structure will be selected and contracted by SARU and Coetzee may have little say in the process.

But for now, forward we march into a new era of Springbok rugby.

The Springboks first mission of 2016 starts in June with the visit of Ireland for three Test matches. 

As the pay-off line once went for a well-known game show on South African television "Give him a chance!"