Fans jump to Peter de Villiers' defence
South African fans have defended former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers after he had to reveal on Twitter that he had a level three rugby coaching certificate.
The 62-year-old had applied to be the head coach of the Southern Kings, the maligned PRO14 outfit, but it was reported in the newspaper Rapport and on the 702 radio station that he was under-qualified.
De Villiers has since shown his coaching qualification on social media, saying: “I would never have coached the Boks without it”.
He added that these are “lies designed to malign me and prevent me from being hired by The Kings”.
Although this ordeal may have been demeaning for the coach, it looks as though he has the backing from the South African public on social media, who feel that this attempt to slander him has gone far enough.
@Radio702 reported that I don't have a Level 3 rugby coaching certificate. For the record I attained it in Wale's in 1997. I would never have coached the Boks without it. It's all lies designed to malign me and prevent me from being hired by The Kings, regards PDV @TandoManana pic.twitter.com/zrrRmFVEp4
— Africalegendsleague (@Africanlegendz) July 29, 2019
One fan highlighted the ‘vendetta’ that the South African Rugby Union seems to have with de Villiers, while others have pointed out that the media in South Africa seem to target him.
This probably stems from his time with the Springboks between 2008 and 2011 where he was known to be a prickly character who said some controversial comments. Furthermore, since leaving his post with the national team, he has been critical of the SARU.
This is turning into quite a mess. https://t.co/QyNLO3qn8c
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 30, 2019
But a lot of fans have said that not only has de Villiers got the qualification, but his time with the Springboks speaks for itself.
During his four years in charge, he guided the team to a Test series victory against the British and Irish Lions in 2009, won the Tri-Nations that same year and had a 47 per cent winning record against the All Blacks. But he has still been criticised for his time in charge with the Boks.
Regardless of what happens with his future, de Villiers has the support from large swathes of fans. This is what they have said on Twitter:
So they say Peter de Villiers is "under-qualified" to coach the Kings? The man who won the B & I Lions series, Tri-Nations, double over the All Blacks, no. 1 ranking. Then they spin that he doesn't level 3 coaching, and he does. Can the Sharks please go for him
— Ndani Sitole (@ndani14) July 29, 2019
People at SARU need to drop this silly vendetta they have on him. Its too old now.
— Such Is Life…. (@EnslinMavunga) July 29, 2019
What the hell does everybody have against him?
— HansieSlim (@notatrainsmash) July 29, 2019
What does PDV have to do to be given a chance on SA Soil again?
— The 8 / 9 Combo (@the8_9combo) July 30, 2019
This is just sad and wrong
— Sne Ndimande (@SneNdimande) July 29, 2019
Don't these people get tired of trying to discredit the man?
— uNyambose (@BaloKaMthethwa) July 29, 2019
This man just not have to prove or show anything! ?. No idea why media is crucifying him honestly pisses me off!!
— Lee-X (@JustLee_XS) July 29, 2019
The treatment of Peter De Villiers in this country, after everything he achieved, is nothing short of an absolute disgrace. It's scandalous. Calling the man's qualifications into question? Massive low blow, and sadly, a situation that faces many coaches of colour, STILL.
— Jade Manasse ? (@Jade_Manasse) July 30, 2019
Only in this country will you find a whole sporting body use all its machinery, such as media and cronies to discredit and keep a qualified coach from finding employment! Despicable from @sarugby and the media.
— FREE_or_DOM (@FREEorDOM1) July 29, 2019
Radio702 reported that former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers doesn't have a Level 3 rugby coaching certificate. Apart from it being a lie, PDV
would never have coached the Boks without it. How the story was even commissioned is truly beyond me. https://t.co/vDd1PqS0fH— MTNWinner ??????? (@Dr_PooneGreen) July 30, 2019
This is the latest episode in a tough few weeks for de Villiers after current Springboks prop Tendai Mtawarira was highly critical of him in his recently published autobiography, calling into question his coaching credentials and methods.
While this is unlikely to be the end of this saga, the coach can know that although he feels the media and the SARU are against him, the majority of fans are not.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments