The handling of Rian Oberholzer’s imminent return to SA Rugby’s top post is impressive, in comparison to New Zealand Rugby’s head coaching debacle, according to MARK KEOHANE.
On Thursday, Oberholzer confirmed reports that he has been approached by SARU to succeed Jurie Roux as interim CEO – 24 hours after NZR launched its hunt for the next All Blacks coach, as incumbent Ian Foster confirmed he would not be reapplying for the position after the 2023 World Cup.
Oberholzer is a seasoned administrator having served as Sanzaar’s CEO at the launch of Super Rugby, before taking over the position of SA Rugby Football Union managing director between 1996 and 2003.
ICYMI – ‘Yes’, SA Rugby want Oberholzer as CEO
Foster came under pressure last year following a string of erratic All Blacks performances, and recently warned that speculation about his future could hamper the Kiwis’ build-up to the World Cup kicking off in September.
In his TimesLIVE column, Keohane suggests that in a week when NZR’s bosses got it wrong yet again, SARU’s national executive are “getting it right” with Oberholzer’s pending appointment.
“Foster was never the right guy but those who put him in power were never the right people, and they have continued to stumble over their lines,” he writes.
“This week they confirmed Foster would not be the All Blacks coach after the World Cup, regardless of the outcome, and that they would announce his successor in the next month.
ALSO: All Blacks done discussing new coach
“It has been one public relations mess after the other from a rugby nation, who on all fronts, off the field and through the All Blacks, for so long were the global leaders of the sport.
“SA Rugby is now the one that leads and doesn’t follow. The appointment of Rassie Erasmus to coach the Boks in 2018 was the difference between winning the 2019 World Cup or the Boks limping home before the last four.
“Roux’s leadership as SA Rugby’s CEO cannot be overstated. He did an immense job operationally and the only individual qualified enough to add to Roux’s efforts is Oberholzer, especially in a time of transition.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
