Springbok coach Allister Coetzee accepts the sack is a possibility

Springbok skipper Adriaan Strauss.

He added that, despite retiring from the worldwide stage, he would still like to contribute to paving a new direction for the future of the game in the country.

Coetzee, though, who previously said that he accepts things have not gone as planned, but stressed that he was not exclusively responsible, said that he’s not ready to walk away from the job. But I can assure our supporters and stakeholders that if tough decisions have to be made, we will not shy away from making them. I would like to be part of that.

“I will be ruthless with the truth, but I am not a guy for controversy where it will not help”.

“You’ve got to weigh up more time spent with the same team, compared to a team that comes in a week before a Test”.

“I am not here for a “pity party”.

“I did everything I could this year”, added Strauss, thrust into the leadership after the retirements of Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez and Victor Matfield following a 2015 World Cup where the Springboks came third.

“I’m not looking for controversy so I won’t throw out statements about what needs to change right now”.

“I would like to contribute to solutions for SA rugby‚” Strauss said.

Embattled South Africa coach Allister Coetzee accepted the sack was a real possibility after overseeing a woeful 2016 for the Springboks. He made a good impression during the build-up to the Barbarians match and has continued to work hard on this tour since re-joining us.

The Springboks arrived at the OR Tambo International Airport on Monday. We have tried to change a couple of things in the way we play – it’s not going to change overnight, but we have got to make sure we keep improving.

They just snuck past the Japanese last week to win by three points thanks to a Sam Davies drop goal in the last minute of the game. And if we can get up to that top gear, I think it will be a hell of a game. “They are a Rugby Championship team and we can only beat what is put in front of us, regardless of their form”.

“It is not just one person who has responsibility but if I am held exclusively responsible then I will walk away”.

Wales coach Rob Howley: “I thought we were comfortable and were able to stretch South Africa more times than they were able to stretch us”.

“It’s embarrassing for us”, said Springboks captain Adriaan Strauss, who was playing in his final global game.

With over 300 players based in Europe‚ poor skills development and fitness levels and an increasingly strained player base with six Super Rugby franchises‚ there are real issues to deal with at a structural level.

“The expectation from this group of players is obviously a lot higher, when you consider how good they’ve been consistently over the years”. The overseas policy has not been cast in stone. They have only beaten them twice in the past 100 years, although the most recent of those wins came two years ago. “We have to find ways to manage these challenges”.