Smith mum on Bok ultimatum
The weekly Afrikaans newspaper Rapport suggested that South African Rugby Union Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has placed an ultimatum before the Bloemfontein-based Bok backline coach.
He must either move to Cape Town permanently, remains part of the Bok coaching staff, or if he opts to stay in Bloemfontein he will be cut from national team set-up.
Smith, who is the Springboks' attack and skills coach, is also employed at the Cheetahs where he fulfils the role of Director of Rugby.
"I can't speak about it [the reports of an ultimatum]," Smith told rugby365, adding that he is waiting on SARU.
According to the weekend report, Erasmus still wants Smith involved with the national team.
The newspaper suggested that Smith was given the option to either move his family to Cape Town permanently or make the city his temporary home – leaving his family in Bloemfontein.
* Smith's future is not the only issue hanging in the air.
It has come to light that SARU and current Bok coach Allister Coetzee have not reached an agreement either.
It has been widely reported that Coetzee is holding out on SARU, who wants to reach a 'settlement' with him, so that Erasmus can appoint a new head coach.
Coetzee and forwards coach Matt Proudfoot have both been linked to a move to Japan.
The 'negotiations' between the Coetzee and SARU camps have dragged on since December.
Last week, January 16, was the initial deadline for the matter to be settled.
However, it dragged on and by last Friday there was still no settlement.
@rugby365
