Ken Borland

Heyneke Meyer’s current employers, the Blue Bulls, said on Wednesday that the South African Rugby Union (Saru) would offer their current executive in charge of rugby the post of Springbok coach on Friday.

The Bulls added, however, that it would not be in their best interests to release Meyer from his four-year contract.

“It is the board’s position that it would not be in the Blue Bulls’ interest to release Meyer after many resources and commitments have been made to enable him to fulfill his mandate. Should Meyer however decide to accept the position of national coach, he needs to inform the board of his decision to abdicate his responsibilities and commitments to the Blue Bulls,” the Blue Bulls Company said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Saru confirmed in a later statement on Wednesday that discussions had been held with Meyer, but that no appointment has yet been made.

“The Executive Council (Exco) of Saru will be provided with a report back on those discussions at their meeting in Cape Town on Thursday. The Exco is constitutionally responsible for the appointment of the Springbok coach. Their recommendation has to be ratified by a special general meeting of Saru,” the national rugby body said in the statement.

The new Springbok coach, succeeding Peter de Villiers, will be announced on Friday after the special general meeting.

The 44-year-old Meyer coached the Leicester Tigers in 2008 before returning to the Bulls in a director-of-rugby type position. He had previously coached the Bulls to four Currie Cup titles and their maiden Super 14 crown between 2002 and 2007.