However, winning only fixes things in the short term. We live in a society where we are in way too much of a hurry and are driven by an appetite for instant gratification. To date, Coetzee has been in charge for just five Test matches but almost everyone is expecting him to immediately make magic with a team that is in a state of transition.
It’s easy to criticise from outside the camp and, if you have never put on a pair of takkies and coached a team before, you have no idea how difficult the oval-ball game can be at times. During periods of adversity, a professional coach needs to stick by his principles and believe in what he is doing.
Coetzee has made good selections from the start in terms of playing personnel and, although the Springboks might not be getting it right all the time from a game play perspective, the former Stormers mentor has been around long enough to know how to win rugby matches. For me, that is precisely why he was appointed by the suits at SA Rugby on a four-year contract in the first place and he needs to be supported.
