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PDV`s 5 Million Rand price tag

Monday 25th August 2008

No joy: Springbok supports are losing patience with their coach

South Africa rugby fans calling for the head of Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will have to grin and bear with their embattled team as it appears firing the coach is simply not a financially viable option.

The Springboks travel to Johannesburg this week to face Australia in an attempt to avoid a third consecutive home defeat in their last Tri-Nations match.

SARU president Oregan Hoskins has backed De Villiers to turn the Springboks fortunes around - since firing him will cost a fortune.

According to Afrikaans daily Die Burger De Villiers' contract is worth R1.4 million a year and although it has a performance clause, it will only come into effect at the end of next year.

Amid rumours of officials within SARU calling for De Villiers' axing and despite mounting pressure from disgruntled fans, De Villiers looks set to continue in his role at the helm of the World Champions since he has a water-tight contract that would cost SA Rugby R5million (USD $645,000) if they got rid of him now.

Last Saturday's 27-15 loss to the Wallabies in Durban was the Springboks' fourth defeat in five Tri-Nations matches. The team now has a success rate of a little over 55 per cent since De Villiers took over.

De Villiers' predecessor Jake White won the Tri-Nations in his first season winning six of their eight Test matches (75 per cent) between the time he took over the reins and the end of his first Tri-Nations series.

The current Springbok coach can ill afford to have another year like this one. A similar effort next year will leave SA rugby with the option of firing him.

It is reported that De Villiers' initial contract included a performance clause insisting on a 75 per cent success rate. After a dispute, however, the target was lowered and the period extended to two years.

De Villiers' vision of transforming the Springboks playing style towards an 'expansive' game has so far resulted in the Springboks scoring the least amount of tries in the Tri-Nations, in which they are guaranteed of finishing last.