Springbok coach addresses the elephant not in the room

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has been surprisingly laid back and even jovial for a man who began his new job with a loss.

The 26-20 defeat to Ireland at Newlands ticked a few unwanted boxes, and also attracted some unwanted attention.

It was the first Irish victory against the Springboks on South African soil.

The fact that the men in green and gold (wearing white and green on the day) had an extra player for most of the game, was even more damning.

In all fairness and unlike the heroic 14-man Ireland, Coetzee was not defensive in his assessment of the performance, mentioning how poor they were.

Despite the hurt of the defeat, Toetie was still able to have a laugh when opportunities presented themselves.

“The Northern Hemisphere teams are actually playing closer to Test match rugby compared to us, when we are in the Super 15, Super 18 environment or is it Super 20…” he mocked, before Siya Kolisi seated to his left, politely whispered “Super Rugby”.

But at Thursday’s team announcement, we, or should I say I, got a glimpse of a more serious Coetzee ahead of the second Test at Ellis Park.

Once he had fielded the obligatory first 15, 18, or was it 20 questions from the official TV broadcaster, the conference was opened to the rest of the media.

I felt sharpness in his answer when I asked what his message was to the guys who had missed out this week, the likes of Jaco Kriel.

“Jaco Kriel doesn’t need a separate message. Jaco Kriel is a Springbok and he bought into the philosophy and cultures of the team. If you have to wait until you get your Test in 2019 so be it… there is one message, we do what is best for the Springboks.”

It seemed the questioned annoyed him. Or did it?

I also believe Coetzee was happy to address the so called Kriel situation which had been bubbling under.

Last week, after he named his team for the first test, he received criticism from some corners as you would expect.

But what he wouldn’t have anticipated was being questioned by one from the “family”.

Former Springbok lock and now TV commentator/presenter Kobus 

Wiese, tweeted his disapproval of the team, more specifically the absence of Kriel and Ruan Combrink.

“Won't blame the likes of Kriel and Combrink if they seek greener pastures! Best in their positions on form, but still not picked.” Read one of the many Wiese Tweets posted on June 

9.

While Coetzee doesn’t want to upset the official broadcaster by having a public exchange with one of their own, he was still able to address the elephant that wasn’t in the room.