Coetzee questions his player's technical ability and releases a further three Boks
Allister Coetzee the Springboks coach feels that Francois Hougaard lacks the technical ability that is needed to be an international level scrumhalf.
Hougaard initially looked like the sole casualty to be dropped from the squad following the heavy defeat to the All Blacks in Albany.
In an interview with SuperSport.com, Coetzee expressed that the scrum-half's versatility may have led to a deterioration in his technical ability.
“Look I am not going to go and explain every individual player and why he has been left out," said Coetzee
"The reason for Francois Hougaard obviously - he is a fantastic rugby player and it is just that that continuity hasn’t been part of this - like not playing regularly at nine has not helped him with his technical ability at scrumhalf at Test match level.”
“Unfortunately that is the case and it hasn’t gone well, because I think it is important that our nines function really well. And I just think technically at that level it has been a struggle for him really.”
Three additional players were also released from the Springboks squad today, Dan du Preez, S'busiso Nkosi and Raymond Rhule.
Rhule's departure may not have come as a surprise to many, as his struggles against the All Blacks attack was apparent for all to see, missing a total of nine tackles over the eighty minutes.
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Etzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
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