Here come the 'second chance' Boks
That is the reason why he kept intact the bulk of the team for the second Test against Ireland at Ellis Park on Saturday – despite the shocking performances of some team members in last week's 20-26 loss to the Irish at Newlands.
The only changes to the starting line-up are because of injury – with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Elton Jantjies replacing Lodewyk de Jager and Patrick Lambie respectively.
Lambie has been ruled out with concussion and De Jager is struggling with a calf injury.
Coetzee, addressing the media after he revealed the team, said intention this week is to put up a performance that is in line with the "ability" of his team.
"It is a team that will play together for the second time and a team hat has worked hard this week," Coetzee told the media gathering at the team's hotel in Johannesburg.
"They understand there will be consequences," Coetzee said, when quizzed about his decision to retain all the under-performing squad members.
"Conceding sloppy penalties and not sticking to he system [structures] will hurt them financially or it could cost him his position in the team.
"I have given most of the team [bar the injury enforced changes] a chance to redeem themselves and make sure they get it right.
"I believe in second chances, I believe players need to improve.
"If they don't I need to look at other players.
"However, a game plan can never settle in after one game. We want to be at our best and play our best rugby come 2018 and 2019 [when the next World Cup comes along]."
Coetzee said the build-up towards the 'perfect team' needs to start somewhere, even if there are mistakes at first.
"I am telling the players this is a second chance," the coach said, adding: "People, in all walks of life, deserve a second chance they know now there will be consequences after this, if they don't take the opportunity.
"There are other players waiting in the wings.
"In my experience as a rugby coach that is the right thing to do – it has always been my philosophy and will stay my philosophy."
Coetzee said, despite the 'second chance' philosophy, there are no excuses for not being accurate with the basics.
"I want to see better attitude in terms of the detail we put in place this week.
"I am positive that we are heading into the right direction."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com
