Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is no longer a candidate for the Southern Kings head coaching position, reportedly because he doesn't possess of the necessary coaching credentials.

Afrikaans newspaper Rapport indicated on Sunday that De Villiers was a candidate for the Kings job, but because he does not possess a Level 3 coaching certificate, it counted against him.

De Villiers' experience as Springboks coach between 2008 and 2011 is believed to not have made any difference.

He has had limited coaching experience since the Bok job, with stints coaching the University of the Western Cape and Zimbabwe's national team the only notable ones.



Meanwhile, the report added that Steve Jackson, the current Samoa coach, is the only remaining candidate on the shortlist to replace Deon Davids.

Other candidates included Worcester Warriors coach Rory Duncan and Cheetahs forwards coach Corniel van Zyl.

Duncan is no longer wanted by the English club, but he has ruled himself out of contention for the Kings job, while Van Zyl also does not have a Level 3 coaching certificate.

New Zealander Jackson will only be able to join the Southern Kings after the Rugby World Cup, and with the franchise opening their PRO14 campaign on September 28, it could leave them without a coach at the start of the tournament.