Smal interested in future Springboks role
Friday, 27 January 2012 18:22By Tadhg Peavoy
Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal says he would like to coach South Africa in the future but has reiterated his commitment to Ireland for the present.
The former Springboks assistant coach - who was on the Jake White coaching ticket that won the Rugby World Cup in 2007 - also expressed his happiness at being mentioned as a possible South Africa head coach by certain quarters of the media and public alike.
Smal said: "I was deeply honoured to be linked to the position of head coach for the Springbok team and having being involved with the team before, it was obviously something that I would have thought about very carefully.
"A big part of that consideration would be my connection to the Ireland team as well as my desire to see out my contract as I am very happy here.
"Declan and the IRFU showed great faith in bringing me here and it has been a wonderful experience from a professional point of view, as well as for my family.
"There is still such great potential and opportunities for the Ireland team and I have great faith in the players that we can achieve things together with the coaching staff.
"I have not given up on the possibility of coaching my country in the future, but my focus now is on Ireland and on our first game in the RBS 6 Nations Championship."
Earlier today, Heyneke Meyer was named as the new head coach of the Springboks.
