Springboks legends have expressed their surprise and disappointment over World Rugby’s decision to overlook their head coach for the prestigious Coach of the Year award. The Springboks’ leader, who had an exceptional year leading the team to 11 wins in 13 matches, including a Rugby Championship victory and an unbeaten northern hemisphere tour, was widely expected to win the award. Despite these achievements and trialling 50 players in preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the award went to the coach of France’s sevens team.
This decision sparked widespread anger among South African fans, who suspect the choice was influenced by past controversies involving the Springboks’ coach. In 2019, he won the award after leading South Africa to a Rugby World Cup victory. However, subsequent criticism of refereeing decisions and resulting suspensions have seemingly created tension between the coach and World Rugby. These incidents, many believe, have led to repeated snubs, with South African coaches losing out in this category, as seen in 2023 when another Springboks coach was passed over despite significant achievements.
One former Springbok player pointed out the remarkable accomplishments of the team this year, highlighting their Rugby Championship win, an unbeaten northern hemisphere tour, and a solid performance against top teams. He questioned what more the Springboks could have done to secure the award, stating that South African coaches seem to receive little recognition from the governing body.
Another former teammate voiced concerns about the criteria for selecting the winner, questioning how a fifth-place finish in the sevens series could outweigh South Africa’s consistent success across multiple tournaments. He emphasized the difficulty in understanding how such a decision was made, given the Springboks’ stellar year.
The question of what else could have been achieved to enhance their chances was raised, with some acknowledging a home loss to Ireland as a minor blemish. However, it was argued that such setbacks are part of competitive rugby, and the overall performance was more than deserving of recognition.
In conclusion, the decision to overlook the Springboks’ head coach has reignited debates about bias and favoritism within World Rugby, leaving many South Africans feeling their achievements were undervalued on the global stage.