Former Springboks boss in advanced discussions with South African province over coaching role

Former Springboks boss Heyneke Meyer could be returning to South Africa after it was revealed that he is eyeing a return to the union where his provincial coaching career started.

According to the Rapport website, the 57-year-old and Currie Cup Division One outfit, the South Western District Eagles, are in advanced discussions regarding a possible return for him at the George-based union.

Started his provincial coaching career at the Eagles

The ex-Boks boss started out as the Eagles’ assistant coach in 1997 before he served as their head coach from 1998 to 2000.

Meyer, who is currently the director of rugby at Major League Rugby (MLR) side Houston SaberCats, also had coaching stints with the Bulls in South Africa, Premiership heavyweights Leicester Tigers and Top 14 outfit Stade Francais.

This past season, the Eagles won just one out of five matches in the Currie Cup and finished in fifth position from six teams in the competition.

When he took charge of the Eagles in 1998 they were in a similar position.

However, his coaching methods made a big impact within a short period of time and they reached the Currie Cup semi-finals a year after he took charge of the Eagles.

Meyer’s global experience counts in his favor to take over the reins at South Western Districts as either their director of rugby or head coach.

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During his stint at the Bulls, Meyer helped the Pretoria-based outfit win both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby titles.

Under his guidance, the Springboks reached the semi-finals of the 2015 Rugby World Cup where they suffered a narrow 20-18 defeat to the tournament’s eventual champions the All Blacks.

That the Boks eventually bowed out of the global showpiece at the semi-finals was a remarkable achievement as they suffered a humiliating defeat to Japan in a pool match – a result which is widely regarded as the biggest upset in the history of the Rugby World Cup.

Took the SaberCats to this year’s MLR final

Meyer has been in his current role with the Houston SaberCats since 2021 and earlier this year they reached the MLR final in which they suffered a narrow 28-22 defeat to the New England Free Jacks.

He has now finished his coaching stint with the SaberCats and according to people close to Meyer, he is eager to get back into coaching in South Africa.

“He would like to make a difference in people’s lives in South Africa again,” a source told Rapport.

“The circle will be complete for him when he returns to coach the SWD Eagles again.”

READ MORE: ‘I want to return to South Africa’ – Ex-Springboks coach eager to ‘make a difference’ on home soil