The Sunday Mail
FORMER Springboks coach Peter De Villiers is resigned to losing out on the Zimbabwe Sables’ coaching job, despite being the most qualified amongst the four shortlisted candidates.
The 60-year-old, who won the 2009 Tri-nations and oversaw a series win over the British and Irish Lions during a three-year stint with the Boks, looks a class apart from fellow aspirants Brendon Dawson, Collin Osborne and Peter Engledow.
However, De Villiers does not expect to bag the job.
“It would be a great honour for me, but I am not expecting to get the job,” said the South African when asked how his interview with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union went.
“I know there are great candidates who are all capable of taking the team to the next level, and I am more than ready to lend a helping hand to whoever gets the job.
“If I don’t get it I’m still available to help them and share my knowledge with the players so that we can assist the country. I’m still a servant of the game and would want to serve whenever and wherever I can,” he said.
Efforts to get to the bottom of the 60-year-old’s indifferent demeanour proved fruitless as the ZRU gave us the quick run around.
ZRU president Aaron Jani said, “I did not meet with him (De Villiers). We have assigned a technical committee to do the interviews, and will only be in a position to comment after their deliberations and recommendations.
“The best person to give you some form of insight will be the chairman of that committee, Brighton Chivandire.”
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Chivandire, in turn, redirected all questions back to his boss, saying the committee will not be talking to the media.
But with resources scarce and no sponsorship deal on the horizon, ZRU do no look like they have the financial muscle to wrestle Osborne, De Villiers and Engledow from their current occupations.
Osborne is currently the skills coach at English Premiership side Harlequins, Engledow is in charge of Currie Cup side Griquas and De Villiers is director of rugby at the University of Western Cape.
Getting any of the trio on a part time basis is also out of the question as Jani recently revealed that they are looking for a man who can take up the job on a full time basis.
And with the Africa Gold Cup less than six months away, Dawson looks set to become Sables coach once again.
