Sharks coach Dick Muir and Stormers assistant Gary Gold have been confirmed as the new Springbok assistant coaches while Peter Maimane of the Lions will serve as technical adviser in a largely new-look Springbok management team.
News24 reports that they were named as part of a 10-person management team in conjunction with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
“I am delighted with the coaching team we have assembled,” said De Villiers. “Gary and Dick have fine pedigrees and I have been very impressed with Peter in my previous dealings with him. I am looking forward to working with them all.”
Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Renee Lombard (physiotherapist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Philip Malakoane (baggage master) and Chris Hewitt (communications manager) complete the team. The position of team manager has yet to be filled.
All posts were advertised and a committee headed by professor Jannie Ferreira made the appointments after a thorough interview process, following extensive consultation with De Villiers
“We are confident that we have assembled a very good management team,” said Ferreira. “Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s took some time before we could make the formal announcement but they have been hard at work as a team behind the scenes for some time now.”
Sharks coach Muir has been a revelation since assuming the head coaching position in 2005, and has guided the Durban-based team back into the top echelon of the southern hemisphere game. His appointment is a coup for South African rugby, as many teams abroad were chasing his signature.
Gold has served with distinction at the Stormers as their assistant coach and previously as their technical director. As one of the most respected tactical analysts in the game, Gold is renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching. He is a previous head coach of Western Province and London Irish. He will continue as an assistant coach with the Stormers to the end of the 2010 season.
Maimane has previous experience as a technical analyst with the Golden Lions union and currently fills the role with the Lions in the Super 14 for whom he has also served as team manager.
Wessels enjoys a second stint as the team’s logistics manager, following his involvement in the same role in 2004. He leaves a senior position at the Eastern Cape legislature to take up the role.
The medical team is headed by Roberts, who has been the team doctor at the Sharks since 2000, whilst Lombard served at the Stormers from 2005. Liebel has worked closely with coach De Villiers at SA Under-21 and Emerging Bok level.
Malakoane is the one member of management to return from the 2007 season and is now serving with his fifth Springbok coach, having started in the role under Nick Mallett in the 2000 season.
Hewitt is the communications manager. He has worked previously as a producer at Talk Radio 702 and most recently was chief rugby writer at Sports Illustrated and a Sport24 columnist.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Just thought of this. Remember a year ago the Cheetahs’ results took a turn for the worst as soon as Rassie was going to get involved with the Boks.
Could this be the same that is happening at the Sharks?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
“He will continue as an assistant coach with the Stormers to the end of the 2010 season.”
So why can’t dick stay with the Sharks then? We cannot just have one of our better coaches not being involved at our provincial or Super 14 level.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
“Hewitt is the communications manager. He has worked previously as a producer at Talk Radio 702 and most recently was chief rugby writer at Sports Illustrated and a Sport24 columnist. ”
Now if only Davids didn’t walk around threatening people with fridges, he could have applied.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Seems the five day week is getting to people.
To used to four day weeks.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Maar die GROOT vraag!!!
Het DICK geteken?
My inligting s̻ РNOGGIE!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“Gary and Dick have fine pedigrees and I have been very impressed with Peter in my previous dealings with him. I am looking forward to working with them all.�
Yes unlike you they have fine pedigrees……
May 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Wat prentjies geteken?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Wie het vir wat met fridges gedreig?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hallo ShotGun…
May 9th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Ja donner – wat is dit van yskaste?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Howdy brother Pete….
May 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Cmon Thunder, spill the beans and tell us the issue is with the fridges?
May 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Howdy!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
It is a joke between Davids and me.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
May 9th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I agree with Ploos….
May 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Anyway, i threaten people with a shotgun or the likes. Much more effective!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Did i have some kak recently with shooting some doves on my property with my height impaired buurman.
He feeds the fugging things and they then kak op my paving.
Am i not talking 5 or 10. Millions of the fucking things..
I now bought a paintball gun- thats legal!A lot of orange and blue rats flying around now
May 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Fkn wreedaard
I just hope the Dick does
not screw up the Boks’ backline
like he did the Guppies.
Strange how NONE of the WC expertise
is utilised.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
BTW – PLOOS
Wat doen Smal Gert deesdae
vir ‘n lewe?
May 9th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Any 2008 Springbok coaching team without the names White, Mallet and Heineke included is just plain silly.
de Villiers, Muir and Gold are apprentices, valuable at S14 and junior ranks, out of depth at senior level.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
They’re like a double thick chocolate milkshake made with 2% low fat milk, diet ice-cream and Canderal.
Right colour, ingredients are close and served in a glass – but still not the real deal.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
It is only in SA where only the luggage master of the WC winningteam’s management team survived.
I am impressed with HIS political credentials.
OHOPOHO…..