Although the writing was on the wall for weeks that he will be appointed, today was just formality.
In making the announcement‚ SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins said Coetzee had “walked the walk” before adding that the new coach was “the best person for the job”.
Coetzee said he was not disheartened when he was previously overlooked for the top job.
“I never place myself into a position. I rather focused on the job at hand. If it was meant to be then it will happen. That has been my philosophy. I am grateful I can sit here as Springbok coach.”
Coetzee said he will tackle transformation issue head on.
“Transformation is not an issue. This is South Africa. As national coach‚ I am not coming in from the outside. The uniqueness we have should make us stronger. I had the same challenge at the Stormers. It is an exciting challenge.”
Coetzee will be backed by Mzwandile Stick and Johann van Graan as his assistants.
He takes over from former coach Heyneke Meyer and as second black coach after Peter de Villiers.
Messages of congratulations were still pouring in from sporting unions and players, at the time of publishing.
