Stick should be the next Springboks coach

Opinion polls aren’t necessarily accurate predictors of the future. If they were, the UK would have voted to remain in the European Union and Donald Trump would never have set foot in the Oval Office.

Polls have even less sway in undemocratic bodies, such as SA Rugby, where decisions are made by a select few regardless of the whims of the masses.

Even so, polls are a handy barometer to gauge public perception. And after the widely read SA Rugby Magazine received close to 10,000 votes on a particular query, my only assumption is that the forecast is set to ‘crazy’.

The question was simple: Who would you pick as the next Springbok coach? The incumbent, Jacques Nienaber, will leave his post at the end of this year’s Rugby World Cup to take on an assistant role with Leinster. More on that later. What’s pertinent now is the baffling result that left me mildly irritated and feeling like the only sane person in the world.

That’s not quite true. I wasn’t alone. From the group of nearly 10,000, 6.15 per cent agreed with me that Mzwandile Stick, currently the Boks’ backline coach, should be promoted once the campaign in France comes to an end.

The clear winner of the poll was Johan Ackermann, in charge of the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, with 29.26 per cent of the vote. Next came John Dobson, the current Stormers boss, with 21.78 per cent. Completing the podium was SA Rugby’s director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, with 19.36 per cent.

Stick was a distant fourth, marginally ahead of Glasgow Warriors coach, Franco Smith (5.33), as well as other big names including the Bulls boss, Jake White (4.91) and Johann van Graan (3.45), presently battling to get a tune out of Bath, but well respected after his time as South Africa’s forwards coach for five years in the mid-2010s and then as the leader of Munster.

(Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Of all the coaches listed above, Stick has the least amount of experience leading a team. In 2015 he steered the Eastern Province U19s to domestic glory but eyebrows were raised when he was fast tracked to the Springbok set-up to serve as an assistant to Allister Coetzee.

During Coetzee’s disastrous tenure, Stick was demoted to the South African U20 set-up but those eyebrows were once again lifted when Erasmus recalled him to the senior fold in 2018. Clearly the World Cup winning coach saw something in the former sevens star.

Stick’s primary mandate was to develop the finer skills of the Springboks. So often derided as a one dimensional squad, the reigning world champions now possess a backline that would be unrecognisably South African only five years ago.

Lukhanyo Am is the most skilful outside centre on the planet. Damian Willemse’s development over the past two seasons has been astronomical. The flair demonstrated by Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Canan Moodie and Cheslin Kolbe points to an outfit that can cut opposition teams to shreds if given half a chance. The Springboks have always had, and will surely always have, enough grunt up front to gain front foot ball. Now more than ever, they have dazzlers in the backs to do something with it.

To give Stick all the credit would be disingenuous. But to not portion at least a sizable share in his direction would be unfair. Smarter rugby minds than me would be better placed to explain exactly what Stick has done, but the nuts and bolts are irrelevant. According to the naked eye test from last year’s Autumn internationals, the Boks' blunt instrument now has a newfound edge.

If Stick has an astute assistant who could marshal the forwards - perhaps Van Graan if he could be tempted back - would supplement any of his shortcomings. What Stick does not lack, and where he needs no help, is understanding the ethos of a team that, more than any other international side, carries the responsibility of representation on its shoulders.

Let’s not dance around the subject. Stick is Black African, one of around 42 million who make up more than 80 per cent of the country’s population. Coetzee’s appointment was a landmark moment for a team that still plays under a badge that was once a symbol of apartheid. Like Siya Kolisi’s selection as the team's first Black African captain, Stick’s elevation to head coach would be another marker that the Springboks are an evolving force.

This would not be a political move. His work with the backline and his status in the team cannot be questioned. In press conferences he is belligerent and honest, two traits that are highly valued in South African rugby. He confronts probing journalists and leans into challenging questions. When his team is accused of playing ‘boring’ rugby he simply points at the groaning trophy cabinet back home and the scorecards that more often than not favour his team. More than Nienaber, who often looks uncomfortable in his media engagements, Stick has embraced this off field role.

Selecting Stick would also send an important message to any aspiring coaches. It would demonstrate the value of participation; that being ensconced within the system holds value. And that is an important message right now.

Nienaber’s exit should be a concern for everyone involved in South African rugby. The leader of the reigning world champions has been lured by a provincial team to work as a deputy. Lienster are immense, and Nienaber is perhaps better suited to a role that the South African journalist Craig Ray called, “mud on the boots” coaching, but the transition is jarring nonetheless.

Felix Jones will also make way after the World Cup and there are questions around Erasmus’ long term future. The World Cup could also be the end of Kolisi’s tenure and the tournament will surely see the likes of Duane Vermeulen, Willie le Roux and Frans Steyn exit stage left.

Whoever is at the helm will need to impart tactical nous, skills transference and a strong sense of identity onto a team in transition. Stick, more than anyone else, ticks these boxes.