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JOHANNESBURG. — Springbok coach Allister Coetzee and his captain Adriaan Strauss followed previous coach Heyneke Meyer’s example by apologising to the nation on Saturday night, but perhaps it would be more helpful to the purpose of correcting the slide of the green and gold jersey if they were more specific about what they were apologising for.Was it just the 20-18 defeat to Italy, or was it for more than that? Was it perhaps because the players never played for the coach, was it because the coach had no discernible, clear game-plan?

Was it because the players have been getting mixed messages they were once again unable to follow? Was it because the coach may have lost the change-room, or was it just because of the lamentable errors that make the Boks look like they are disorganised and poorly coached?

That all of the above are possible reasons is what should concern SA Rugby president Mark Alexande.

— Supersport.com