Quiz: Can you name every Springboks coach in the professional era?
A 3D render of a vintage leather rugby ball with a gold South African rugby logo resting on a draped cloth.
South Africa returned to international rugby in 1992, but since the game went professional in 1995, 12 coaches have led the Springboks, and we challenge you to name them all.
For the purposes of this quiz, we set it at the start of 1995 with the coach who led the Springboks to their first World Cup title, famously lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup in South Africa.
As per usual, we will be dropping hints before the quiz, so if you fancy your chances of getting them all without any tips, skip straight to the quiz.
Hints
Unfortunately, the man who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 1995 passed away just three years after beating New Zealand in the final.
He was only the Springboks coach for one year and oversaw 14 Test matches as the Bok boss and won every single one of them.
His successor would also spend just one year in the role before he resigned after racist remarks and outcry for dropping World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar.
Following his resignation, SA Rugby backed a rather inexperienced coach to replace him, and again, it would be just a one-year stint as a series loss to the British and Irish Lions and a record of three wins from eight matches was not deemed good enough.
The next coach would last longer in the job and oversaw one of the most successful periods in Springbok rugby history. He controversially changed his captain before the World Cup in 1999 and resigned the following year after slamming SA Rugby for ticket prices.
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The two coaches also had their fair share of controversies, and so did the third, but his time is remembered more fondly for winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
The next Bok coach would oversee the Springboks being knocked out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after winning the Tri-Nations in 2009. He was replaced in 2012 by a successful local coach and led the Springboks through the 2015 World Cup, where they finished third overall.
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His successor would oversee a forgettable era in Springboks rugby and was replaced 18 months before the 2019 World Cup.
With all the clues out the way, naming the 12 coaches should be simple. Give it a crack.
Note: Just the coaches’ surnames will do.
Can you name every Springboks coach in the professional era?
Were you able to name them all?
Let us know how you do by commenting below or on our social media platforms.
Also, try out our other quizzes.
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