Erasmus calls on Meyer's experience

Stormers Head Coach Rassie Erasmus may call on the experience of Super 14-winning coach Heyneke Meyer in the future.

Stormers Head Coach Rassie Erasmus may call on the experience of Super 14-winning coach Heyneke Meyer in the future.

Meyer is highly regarded in South African coaching circles and could be utilised soon to bolster the Western Province structures.

Erasmus, who is the senior professional coach at Western Province, said on Thursday he might consult Meyer after the end of the Super 14 season when he turns his attention to broader rugby issues in the province.

“I have had talks with Heyneke Meyer,” Erasmus told Afrikaans daily Die Burger.

“We are friends and we chatted briefly. The channels are open.

“My work as senior professional coach is to concentrate on what happens on the field but after the next six to eight weeks I will be able to concentrate on the Currie Cup and lower levels.”

Meyer, who won the Super 14 with the Bulls last season – after resurrecting the team from the rugby doldrums – said he often spoke to Erasmus and that he was available at all times to provide advice.

“Rassie and I have very similar views about rugby,” said Meyer.

“We often chatted when I helped with the Springbok team in which Rassie was a player. I have great respect for him as a coach.

“We have discussed rugby structures; there are many other people who also speak to me. Rassie is surely on the right road. His structures at top level are good.

“I have always said Western Province have the best players in South Africa. They have an outstanding base.

“One must look at fine detail at the next level. I'd gladly help anywhere I can. I won't be so small-minded to say I was involved at the Bulls and that's why I cannot help.”

Meyer, who made the Bulls competitive at every level, believes that Western Province can turn their fortunes around the way the Bulls did.

“Province can be a force again,” he said.

“It seems Rassie has made the players mentally strong. It's showing. Previously they lost matches in the last minutes; now they win them.”

Meyer feels South African coaches should assist each other as much as possible.

“I learnt a lot from rugby league in Australia. They have an annual coaches' conference where they thrash things out,” Meyer added.

“In South Africa, coaches don't share information.

“The rugby league guys say their sport is too small and will die if they don't work together.

“In South Africa we never hold courses. I picked up much of my knowledge in England, New Zealand and Australia.

Although no longer officially employed in Rugby Meyer said he enjoyed putting his knowledge back into the game.

“To me, the nicest thing is to be involved in training and the putting back of knowledge into the game.

“It makes me feel humble when a person such as Rassie asks for advice.”