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Cape Town - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is dropping the ball with his team selections.
That is the view of former Bok centre and assistant coach Dick Muir, who was commenting after the team’s record 38-3 loss to Ireland in Dublin last weekend.
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It was Ireland’s biggest ever win in 111 years over South Africa and leaves Coetzee with a paltry 41% win record in 22 Tests in charge of the national team.
“The Springboks have to improve in all aspects. Special attention should be given to team selections. I don’t think the best backline is picked,” Muir was quoted as saying on Netwerk24.
Muir said the Boks missed Jan Serfontein in midfield against the Irish.
"Jan Serfontein is an example of a creative player. It’s about manipulating opponents to see where you can get holes in the defence. There are lots of tactics involved in backline play.”
Serfontein is unavailable after being allowed to familiarise himself with his new club in France, Montpellier.
The 52-year-old Muir played five Tests in the midfield for the Springboks in 1997 and was the team’s assistant coach between 2008 and 2011.
He previously also coached the Sharks and Lions.
