Is SA's coaching cupboard bare?

 

At this stage only the Lions and Cheetahs know who will be coaching them next year, with the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Kings still searching for a commander-in-chief.

 

Early speculation had the likes of Kiwis John Plumtree, John Mitchell and Robbie Deans as serious options, perhaps due to their Super Rugby experience which is something most of the alternatives lack.

 

Outgoing Stormers coach Allister Coetzee acknowledged the scarcity of experienced coaches to fill the void, and suggested that the answer could well be to promote from within and back a young coach from within the respective unions.

 

"There is not a lot out there, also looking from within might not be a bad idea.

 

"If the person doesn't have Super Rugby experience or at international level then you might as well look from within.

 

"It is really thin, and why I don't know, I can't give you a reason. All of a sudden the coaches are not there, or too young or inexperienced.

 

"It is a concern for a country with such a rich rugby history to be looking around for coaches," he said.

 

Coetzee suggested that one of the reasons there is such a dearth of suitable candidates in South Africa at the moment could be down to a lack of opportunities or clear pathways within the structures of South African rugby. 

 

"Maybe we are not proactive enough in terms of mapping out pathways for coaches. I think that is something that is lacking at all levels.

 

"Maybe we have got to be more organised and do that. Then you will have more coaches coming through the systems, being assessed and being measured.

 

"If we could be a bit more brutal on that then we wouldn't be in a situation where there is a void in terms of top coaches.

 

"But unions must be prepared to gives coaches that exposure, you can't be Under-21 coach for years if there is potential in the oke then he has got to be promoted like any job, but there has to be a plan or else he won't be.

 

"Seeing as there is such a void of coaches in our country which has been exposed now. Any fellow that puts his head down can make a career of it," he said.

 

The alternative to backing an inexperienced coach to step up at Super Rugby level is to get a high-profile international coach, but Coetzee warned that taking charge of a South African franchise has unique challenges that coaches from overseas might battle to deal with.

 

"We are in such a unique phase of our development as a young democracy, so it is going to be tough for any coach coming from outside to South Africa it is really going to be challenging," he warned.

 

With so few options out there and the difficulties surrounding hiring an overseas coach, the Currie Cup could take on added significance this year with the next tier of coaches looking to prove that they have what it takes to make the step up to Super Rugby level next year.