South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer keen to continue in role
Thursday 29 October 2015 13:12, UK
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer concedes he has made a lot of mistakes but wants the opportunity to take the team on after a mixed World Cup campaign.
The Springboks were beaten by Japan in the group stages of the competition but made it to the knockout stages where they lost 20-18 to New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Meyer's side will take on Argentina in Friday's third/fourth place play-off at the Olympic Stadium and he will be hoping his side can bow out of the tournament on a high.
His future will be reviewed by the South African Rugby Union in December but he has confirmed his intention to remain in the post.
"It is easy to criticise and obviously I've made a lot of mistakes. But I want to be part of the solution and see the youngsters come through," he said.
"I will always regret I couldn't win the World Cup for my country and I will always believe in this team. I just believe they are going to get better. This team will be invincible if they can go forward and keep them together."
The 48-year-old added that the protests and threat of court action over the racial make-up of his squad before the team left home illustrated the unique challenges of the job.
It is easy to criticise and obviously I've made a lot of mistakes. But I want to be part of the solution.
"I do take it personally," he added. "This World Cup was really tough - people were burning jerseys before you start, people wanted to take you to court before you start."
Meyer has also received the backing of the Springboks squad, with No 8 Duane Vermeulen saying they are firmly behind him being allowed to continue in the role.
We would love to see him stay, but you never know what's going on in his head," Vermeulen said. "It's all up to him, but if it doesn't happen then hopefully he'll still be available where he can teach the younger guys coming through.
"Hopefully we can keep that production line coming through. I think it would be amazing if he could stay on, but it's all up to him.
"He's a guy who really motivates you in the way he presents himself, the way he speaks to you. He always captivates you with one or two stories that he tells; and that's not stories out of a book, it's life experience.
"And you can learn a lot from a guy who has gone through those life experiences."
