2oceansvibe News | South African and international news

Sponsored by RSAWeb rss
2ov Radio
  • Home
  • About
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Seth Rotherham
  • du Cap Collection
  • Café du Cap
  • Cabine du Cap
  • Media Packs / Advertising
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Anonymous Tips
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
Seth Rotherham
  • New Springbok Assistant Coach Mzwandile Stick Speaks Out Following Controversial Appointment

    19 Apr 2016 by Kiernan in Rugby, South Africa, Sport
    Related Posts
    • Get Ready For The Explosive Springboks Versus British & Irish Lions Docuseries [Trailer]
    • We're Counting The Days Until The Mapimpi Documentary Comes Out [Trailer]
    • Did You Notice Rassie's Thinly-Veiled Swipe At The Ozzie Coach? [Video]
    • "Fresh Summer Breeze To The Tushie": Meet The Guy Who Had His Speedo Signed By Siya
    • Kiwi Rugby Journo Schooled By Rassie [Videos]

    When Allister Coetzee was announced as Springbok coach last week no one was taken by surprise, one of SA Rugby’s worst-kept secrets finally made official.

    It was his backroom staff that created the real talking points, many saying 31-year-old assistant coach Mzwandile Stick lacked the necessary experience to guide the Boks forward.

    Now Stick has spoken to Sport24 and answered some of the questions the public have been asking:

    What does the appointment mean to you and what’s led you to this point?

    My appointment as Springbok backline coach means a lot to me, my family and the people of the Eastern Cape. I believe it’s a blessing from the man above. I’m now coaching the Springboks because God sent me there for a reason – to inspire the young ones. It’s an honour that a coach of Allister Coetzee’s calibre wants me to be part of his journey going forward with the national team.

    One thing I know for sure is that I’m going to take this opportunity with both hands. I’ve had to mature from a young age because of the challenges I faced – I lost my mother at the age of 17 – and had to make vital decisions of my own accord. I had the choice to give up, but I wanted to make my mom proud and ensure that I became something in life. Rugby is the vehicle which has driven me to success.

    You retired in 2013. How’ve you found the transition from player to coach?

    It has proved a smooth transition from the playing field to the coaching box. As a player, I was always part of the leadership group. I captained the Springbok Sevens side and the Kings, and I was one of the players that would regularly brainstorm ideas with the coaches and discuss strategy.

    Coaching has been a natural progression and I’ve enjoyed selling a vision to my players…

    mzwabndscoach2

    You and Allister go back a long way. Talk about your working relationship.

    The first time I met Allister was as 17-year-old when I was playing for Eastern Province and he was coaching. I can relate to his humble background because I also hail from the Eastern Cape. Allister knows my playing career well and I see that he’s done his research on me as a coach and what type of person I am.

    Allister recently commented that he admires my self-confidence and that I stand my ground well. It’s an honour to be trusted by someone who has got that much experience in the game. I believe Allister, Johann van Graan and I will complement one another well as a management team…

    You’ve served as the Kings’ backline coach this season. Your experiences?

    I have to be honest and say that it’s the toughest challenge I’ve faced so far in my coaching career because we started on the back foot and had to put a Super Rugby team together in the space of two months. However, such challenges make you stronger moving forward in life. I have learned a lot from my fellow coaches and the players have bought into our vision.

    You can’t fault the players because they have been playing their hearts out. We are often playing against stronger sides, where experience counts, but the boys always put their bodies on the line and understand exactly where we want them to be. Irrespective of the results, the Kings have helped me in terms of my coaching development.

    What is the current state of SA rugby and which sides have impressed you?

    I believe our rugby is in a healthy state. The Stormers and Lions (who are leaders of Africa Conference 1 and 2 respectively) have shown the value of 15 players on the field who are all on the same page. The Lions coaching staff deserve credit and we shouldn’t underestimate the amount of work that’s been done behind the scenes.

    In terms of team cohesion, the Lions are a well-functioning unit because they have been playing together as a group for a few years and so understand each other very well. The Stormers also possess a good team, and it’s clear the side that heads the SA conference have forged a strong bond.

    With the Boks facing three tough tests against the Irish in June, the Rugby Championship then to follow, fans will be hoping Stick can get the team firing and help Coetzee begin his tenure with a few wins under the belt.

    [source:sport24]

    [imagesources:sarugbymag&zimbio]

    • ← This Guy Is Incredible – Gavin Rajah Allegedly Steals ANOTHER Design And Threatens The Woman When She Moans About It
    • Either SA’s White Population Are Emigrating In Droves, Or They Have Low Fertility Rates →
    • Tweet
    • Tags:
    • allister coetzee
    • mzwandile stick
    • Springboks

    Latest News

    • Machine Gun Mayhem In Manenberg [Video]

      [image: Facebook / Pagad G-Force] Law enforcement continues to lose the battle against ...

    • Awesome Footwear Company Arrives In SA: Here’s How To Win A Pair

      [imagesource: HEYDUDE Shoes] Winter is almost here and that means a few lifestyle chang...

    • Two SA Billionaires Crack Top 100 Of Sunday Times UK Rich List

      [imagesource:here] Not everybody is fortunate enough to have their wealth grow by R13 b...

    • The Queen’s Hard At Work Trying To Salvage Prince Andrew’s Reputation

      [imagesource: Richard Pohle / AFP via Getty Images] A mother's love knows no bounds. ...

    • There’s A Wordle Spinoff For Art Lovers Now

      [imagesource: Vincent van Gogh, “Self-Portrait” 1889 / Collection of Mr and Mrs John H...


    • 2oceansvibe Partners

    • CONTACT US
    • GOT A HOT STORY?
    • 2oceansvibe Radio
    • 2oceansvibe Media
    • Media Pack
    • Seth Rotherham
    • Café du Cap
    • Cabine du Cap
    • Cape Town City Accommodation
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Business
    • Media
    • Entertainment
    • Tech/Sci
    • World
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Sport
    • Politics
  • Follow

    2oceansvibe.com is part of the 2oceansVibe Media Group

    DMMA Logo