Latest reports suggest Allister Coetzee will stay in the job, for now

Allister Coetzee’s future has been more uncertain than a chameleon on a Smarties box over the last few weeks and the latest suggestion is that he’s safe, for now.

TimesLive broke a story yesterday in which it suggests Coetzee will be given the June series against France to turn things around.

In the report, the paper claims that the head honchos of SA Rugby were split in their opinion over whether to keep Coetzee or not.

However, a separate report, on Netwerk24, claims that the decision was reached because the Minister of Sport, but mostly Recreation, Fikile Mbalula was in favour of keeping Coetzee.

SA Rugby are, according to the report, keen to stay in Mbaks’ good books since he will make the final call on whether or not they can proceed with their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Last year, Mbalula banned five sporting codes, including rugby, of bidding for or hosting international events as punishment for failing to meet transformation targets.

SA Rugby still went ahead and submitted an initial bid in October last year. Back then, Saru told: “We have submitted an application as per World Rugby’s deadline. However, whether we will be permitted to pursue the process depends on whether we have met the targets we have agreed with Government. The Eminent Persons’ Group reports back in March next year when we will know whether we will be able to continue.”

Firing the coach at this point in the game could thus be detrimental to their chances of hosting the tournament.