Coetzee takes heart from Jake White
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee remains defiant despite one of the worst recorded years in Springbok rugby.
Coetzee says he takes heart from one of his predecessors, Jake White, who was on the verge of being fired in 2006 after a horrid run of form, but went on to win the Rugby World Cup with the Boks in 2007.
"Every coach goes through a tough year. I'd rather take it at the beginning of my tenure and it can only get better from here than going to my third year and then experiencing this where we are. Hopefully, maybe not in my term, but definitely long-term this will be the best for South African rugby," says Coetzee.
Coetzee defended his decision to appoint Adriaan Strauss as captain following his appointment in April and hailed Strauss' leadership ability under fire.
"He was here, steering this team off and on the field in a tough situation and that shows his leadership ability," says Coetzee.
Strauss, a 67-Test veteran who played his last game in the green and gold against Wales at the weekend, put on a brave face on the Boks return home and says he has no regrets and would do it all again if he had the opportunity.
"It was an honour being part of this. I knew it was going to be a tough year. I never knew how tough it was going to be, but what an honour. I would definitely do it again and hopefully, if I could do it again, I would do it better. I gave it my all, I did everything I could," says Strauss.