The new Springbok coach will only be appointed at the end of March.

According to Rapport, Saru CEO Jurie Roux will drive the process with the final recommendation having to be approved by Saru's general council when they next meet in late March.

Former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, currently with the Kobelco Steelers in Japan, is the front-runner to replace Heyneke Meyer as Bok coach. Lions coach Johan Ackermann and former Sharks coach John Plumtree (now forwards coach at the Hurricanes) are also in contention.

Meanwhile, Saru president Oregan Hoskins has denied reports that he could resign before his term expires at the end of 2018. Hoskins has been put under pressure from provincial unions in the north of the country following the Springboks' failure to win the World Cup.

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