Southern Kings back line coach, Mzwandile Stick, has been confirmed as one of the new assistant coaches for the Springboks, and will be working with Allister Coetzee, who has been named as head coach of the Springboks for the next four years by SA Rugby.
The 31-year-old former Springbok Sevens star, who played fullback and wing in the 15-man game, retired in 2013 and began as an assistant coach with the Eastern Province Under-21 side.
Stick has worked hard and developed as a coach, guiding the EP Under-19 side to the provincial title as head coach last year, before being promoted to the Southern Kings management team at the beginning of 2016.
“Stick has been a great asset to the Southern Kings in the build up to our Super Rugby campaign. He has made significant contributions at management level and we will be sad to see him go,” said Head Coach Deon Davids.
“At the same time we realise that this is a fantastic opportunity for him and we are positive that he will take it with both hands and will make the most of the opportunity. We wish him all the best as he embarks on the next part of his rugby journey” said Davids.
Davids congratulated Coetzee on securing the position of Springbok Coach.
“Allister hails from the Eastern Cape and has made significant contributions to the game of rugby over the years, we wish him everything of the best,” he said.
Southern Kings Chief Operations Officer, Charl Crous, congratulated Stick on his appointment.
“Mzwandile has played an important role in both the Eastern Province and Southern Kings rugby structures, both as a player and as a coach, and we wish him all the best in his new position as Assistant Coach to the Springboks,” said Crous.
Crous said the planning around Stick’s new appointment meant that there would not be any impact on the Southern Kings Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.
“The timing of the incoming tour and the Super Rugby season have been structured in such a way that there is minimal disruptions,” he said
Crous also congratulated Coetzee on his position as head coach.
“Allister is a man who hails from the region and who made significant contributions to rugby in the province. He was a Junior Springbok and played Currie Cup rugby for Eastern Province between 1992 and 1996, and also played represented Eastern Province in the 1994 Super 10 competition,” he said.
“Much like Mzwandile, he also began his coaching career when he decided to trade in his boots for a whistle, and gained his first experience as a coach with Eastern Province,” said Crous.
Crous said the appointments once again confirmed the vast amount of rugby talent in the Eastern Cape and why it was so critical to ensure that top flight rugby stayed in the region.
Crous also confirmed that the Southern Kings team doctor, Konrad von Hagen, has been appointed as the Springboks team doctor for the incoming Ireland Tour in June.
“This is another great opportunity for our management team and we wish Doc all the best on his appointment,” said Crous.
Crous said Von Hagen’s appointment would not impact on the Southern Kings in any way, as there was no Vodacom Super Rugby matches scheduled for June due to the incoming tour.
Alan Straton
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