SA union deny strike threat

RUGBY: The South African rugby union have denied reports the Springboks are threatening to strike ahead of their tour of Ireland and England next week amid disagreement over the team's next manager.

A spokesman for SA Rugby told The Irish Times: "For the moment, we have not received any suggestion from the players, or from anyone within the Springbok camp, that there will be a strike."

The spokesman refused to be drawn, however, on reports the Springbok coach, team and backroom staff were unhappy about the possible appointment of Zola Yeye as manager of the touring team.

A prominent former rugby player, Yeye was one of the harshest critics of coach Jake White during the team's recent Tri-Nations tour. Commenting on South Africa's dismal form in the tournament, he said at the time: "What I see is a confused team that is being coached by a confused coach."

With the Springboks due to play at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week, a sub-committee of the SA Rugby Board will meet in Johannesburg today to discuss the vacant managerial post. White and Springbok captain John Smit are due to attend.

SA Rugby are understood to favour Yeye, who is employed as a regional manger for South Africa's public service broadcaster SABC, while the Springbok players and coach are believed to be pushing for Songezo Nayo, a former CEO of the rugby union.

White's first choice had been former Springbok outhalf Naas Botha, but he was ruled out in August when the SA board decided the next manager should be Black. Speaking to SABC yesterday, SA Rugby managing director Basil Haddad said: "There is a possibility there will not be a permanent manager accompanying the Springboks (on the tour) . . . The final decision to who will be manager lies with SA Rugby, while Jake (White) has the right to be consulted."

The union's spokesman said last night: "Hopefully, soon we will be able to announce a conclusion to the process. At the moment, everything around it is speculation."

Uncertainty over the appointment has unsettled a camp already weakened by the resting, or withdrawal because of injury, of a number of senior players.