Muir gets the 'all-clear'

Dick Muir: Interested in the Springbok job

Sharks CEO Brian van Zyl - who serves on the nine-member panel that will appoint the new Springbok coach - has given Sharks coach Dick Muir the 'go-ahead' to apply for the Bok job if given the opportunity to do so. But that in itself remains an uncertainty.

"There are obviously two conditions to releasing him from his Sharks contract - first, that the SA Rugby Union accept his application and, second, and second, that his application is successful," Van Zyl told The Witness on Wednesday.

Should SA Rugby opt to allow Muir to apply and subsequently appoint Muir as the Bok coach, the Sharks will have the peace of mind knowing that they have an able replacement in John Plumtree, who played a significant role in developing the young Sharks squad in the Super 14 and mentored the team in Muir's absence during a largely successful Currie Cup campaign.

Muir has reportedly spoken to SA Rugby's deputy-president Mike Stofile about the possible late application already, where Stofile advised Muir to write a letter to the panel, which would make a decision on whether to allow Muir to apply.

"I will obviously recuse myself if Dick's name is added to the list and comes up for discussion," said Van Zyl.

The panel includes: Stofile (Chairperson), Van Zyl, Dawie Snyman (former Springbok), Lions President Jannie Ferreira, Leopards President James Stofberg, Stellenbosch University Rector Julian Smith, SARU Managing Director Jonathan Stones, SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo and human resources expert Elna van Niekerk.

The matter of Muir's late application is likely to be discussed at the next President's Council meeting on Thursday.