Although no immediate replacement has been sought, the incoming Rassie Erasmus will manage the responsibilities of the Springbok coach until the national team’s coaching and management group for 2018 is confirmed later on in February.
Coetzee has been at loggerheads with his employers and to make matters worse, he failed to produce results on the field.
The 54-year-old becomes the first Springbok coach to be dismissed while still under contract since Rudolf Straeuli following the 2003 World Cup.
Coetzee was contracted up to and including the 2019 World Cup‚ but after his Springboks won only 11 of 25 Tests (44%) during 2016 and 2017‚ his position had become untenable.
In a statement SA Rugby said that it had reached an agreement with Allister Coetzee to part ways with immediate effect.
“First and foremost we had to assess what is in the best interests of the Springboks‚” said Jurie Roux‚ CEO of SA Rugby.
“We’d like to thank Allister for his passion and dedication to the Springbok cause and wish him every success in his next role.”
Coetzee said: “I have always held Springbok rugby dear to my heart and will continue to do so and for that reason I think now is the time the team and me strike out in new directions. I wish Springbok rugby every success in the future – as I have always done.”
What drove the nail into his coffin was the letter he wrote claiming he was set up to fail and did not get enough resources.
Well, the writing was on the wall; it was only a matter of when…
