SARU: Meyer hasn't got the job... yet

The South African Rugby Union went into damage control mode on Wednesday, after the Bulls confirmed the worst-kept secret in the country earlier in the day.

The Blue Bulls Company earlier released a statement in which they revealed that SARU had informed the BBC’s Board of Directors of their intention to offer Heyneke Meyer the position of Springbok coach.

However, SARU moved swiftly to deny that the appointment was a fait accompli, saying only that he was their “preferred” candidate.

“The South African Rugby Union confirmed on Wednesday that discussions had been held with Heyneke Meyer regarding his possible appointment as Springbok coach,” the SARU statement read.

However, they made it clear that “no appointment has yet been made”.

“The Executive Council (Exco) of SARU will be provided with a report back on those discussions at their meeting in Cape Town on Thursday,” SARU said.

“The Exco is constitutionally responsible for the appointment of the Springbok coach.

“Their recommendation has to be ratified by a General Meeting of SARU.

“A Special General Meeting will take place in Cape Town on Friday at which the decision of the Exco will be tabled for ratification.”

SARU earlier advised the media that the outcome of those processes will be communicated at a media briefing at Newlands on Friday.

It is the country’s worst-kept secret that Meyer has raced so far clear it has become a no-contest and it is still expected that SARU will rubberstamp his appointment at a series of meetings on Thursday and Friday.

The contenders for the vacant position all fell by the wayside in recent weeks.

A SARU shortlist of “preferred candidates” containing the names of Meyer, Peter de Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Gert Smal was drastically reduced… till only one name remained – that of Meyer.