A rank outsider has become the favourite to take over from Zola Yeye as manager of the Springbok rugby team.
Liston Ntshongwana, a prominent businessman and former diplomat, seems to be the man for the job.
Hennie Brandt of Beeld reports that Jannie Ferreira and other members of the committee charged with appointing the national coach and his support team, met in Cape Town on Wednesday to finalise a number of positions.
The committee and Ntshongwana discussed the manager’s position, which will be a more ceremonial one than it used to be.
“The Springbok coach’s support team will be announced on Friday,” Ferreira said after the meeting.
Yeye and former SA team managers Gideon Sam and Artrob Petersen were among the early candidates but Yeye and Sam withdrew from the race.
Ntshongwana has the right credentials for the job. He is a former player and also received training to become an ambassador.
And diplomacy seemed to be lacking in the support team during the time that Jake White coached the Springboks.
Dick Muir and Gary Gold will be formally announced as Peter de Villiers’s assistant coaches on Friday. Gold has already signed his contract.
Former Springbok centre Muir, who now coaches the Sharks in the Super 14 competition, will sign his contract when the squad return from Australasia.
Technical analyst
Peter Maimane, a former Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup player, will be named as De Villiers’s technical analyst. He is now team manager of the Lions.
The 36-year-old Maimane held a similar position with the Bulls when Rudi Joubert coached the team in the Super 12 competition and has also served as technical analyst in the Lions squad.
“I could not run like a wing, so I played as a prop forward,” he said in a telephone call from Canberra on Wednesday.
“I played on the tighthead side at first but then moved to loosehead,” he said, exited about the prospect of being part of the Springbok set-up.
“I accepted the offer last week to become technical analyst. Peter de Villiers initially offered me the position of team manager or logistics manager.
“For several reasons, I was unavailable for those. When he asked whether I would be interested in a job as technical analyst, I jumped at the opportunity.
“I never thought that I would become involved with the Springboks. It’s certainly a great honour,” he added.
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the mind, quite, frankly, boggles!
Why would a ‘prominent businessman’ take this job? How much does it pay? What are the hours? What do you actually have to do?
A lot, long hours but you don’t have to do much.
Just like Yeye… these okes are not 100% commited to the job as they have their fingers in other pies too… it’s merely a little bit extra on the side!
A more ‘ceremonial’ role what a farkin lark… what’s the media manager for… I can guarantee you the Aussie’s and Kiwi’s have already booked all their flights and accommodation for the season ahead… whilst SARU pussy-foot around playing the ‘colour’ jigsaw puzzle… give it a few more months and they’ll pay 3 times the price for ‘logistics’!
What’s more concerning is that the Tech analyst position has gone to the intended team manager… a relative nobody… what an absolute crock…
This is the RWC outfit they should be employing the best available specialists for each position, whether that be from their shores or not… clearly not the case!
Technical analyst dude sounds drunk
Not as dronk as you look in your pic… 😆
Wag n bietjie, how in mother earth’s name can you be up for team manager or logistics manager and then be appointed Technical analyst ❓ ❗ ❗
What is a technical analyst ? P de V’s beer fetcher ?
#6
Rachel#7…was my thoughts exactly…in the world where I live in (and you qualify for the job) you will get offered the big one and if you cannot do that – then something of a lesser value…here he sommer moves from the nitty gritty (not specisfic expertise required) to soemthing that really requires skill….and checking out the Lions track record…I honestly dont know if he posses any of that either… 🙄 Wat nog te se sommer straight bok span toe!
Here comes a jolly jolly ride….. 🙁
Comment 6 of 9, posted at 24.04.08 08:32:47 by bryce_in_oz
SNOTTED MY BRU
Was this job advertised?
Why Rachel? You wanted to apply? 😉
hehehe Ice. I just might. I consider myself very diplomatic, I’m a ‘former player’ (I played rugby at some stage in my life) & it’s a ceremonial position. I can do ceremony. 😀
I’ll need a couple of assitants as well. No skills required. I just have to like you at the time the appointment is made.
Time to eat.
Back in 15.
Ok – now for the big Q….I dont have ALL skills, but do you like me at this time???
CV – Can carry 10 cases of bear on head and 2 cases under each arm – all at once, while doing a Sharks Flasher dance at the same time. I can also help very well with the consumption of those 14 cases whilst watching a game. Play the occasional round of golf and can drive a golf cart very deliciously (only had two accidents so far – but because of watching rugby with my merchandise before a golf game). For a more comprehensive CV – contact applicant. 😆
Ice you just gone top of my ‘Strangers I like most who could potentially be my assistant should I ever be appointed Bok manager’ list. 🙂
Just forget that I cannot spell “beer” – I know exactly what it is and what to do with it – K?? 😉
❗ ❗ ❗
Oi! Is Ghost MIA again and nobody trusts BobD or why is there no ‘Preview’ thread??
😆 Ghost is doing some “soul” searching
Roll on Friday. I’m watching tennis. 😯
Thanks Nam!! Almost forgot to do my predictions!!! 😀 Phew!!
He better be, tell him to dig deep – I NEED a good round!!
😉
I’m leaning towards giving the Lions a win. Looking at all the recent upsets, I might as risk somewhat!
Or mebbe the ‘Tahs, chEEtahs that is. Will have to decide on one of those – no use going ‘all-in’ with a two pair…
Vernon Koekemoer will do all the above jobs, including both assistant coaches jobs with distinction.
Hey, what happened to my Vernon photo?
just hit shift-F5, Salmo
Please can someone explain to me who Vernon is?
Who’s this butch cross-dresser???
I’ve never heard of this Koekemoer fella.
Thanks Rob but I dont want to be Vernon anymore.
Salmanoid – you have just made my day!! 😆 😆
Ice, Nessa help me out here, Vernon is from your part of the world isnt he.
If Ive got it right, Vernon was spotted at a rave in Boksburg (?) and someone took a photo of him there. He is obviously a bodybuilder, is in his 50,s and has become a South African version of Chuck Norris He is becoming an internet legend and even Vodacom have picked up on the hype and have paid him to feature in one of their ads. Vernon Koekemoer is not his real name. (I personally think he is DavidS)
no – DavidS looks far more urbane and civilised.
Salmonoid – yes, he is from the Far East. 😉
My daughter saw him at H20 where they took that photograph. The funny thing is that he thinks he looks sooooo cool. He doesn’t think everyone is laughing at him – he thinks they really think he is “the man”.
Salmo – I am from the Wild West, Ness is from the Far east….so it looks more like Ness’s valley!!…
He is seriously gross! 🙁
It is rather SAD that I could help you guys out on this one. 😳 😳
Ice – you hit the nail right on the head!
Well if he is happy then no harm has been done.
Apparently Vodacom paid him 20k for those 2 seconds in their ad. Maybe Vernon is more astute than we think. 😉
For sure – he is laughing all the way to the bank. He has been interviewed on the radio stations as well – has become quite a household name.
Pisstaking is the new cool. Sad state of affairs, particularly for those ‘victims’ who think the world is laughing WITH them.
Agreed Rob, that is why I said if he is happy then no harm is done.
Yeah. I always worry about people selling their dignity, though. One wonders what their parents and kids think
Looks remarkably like Stan… 😆