Allister Coetzee is in line to succeed Heyneke Meyer as Springbok coach.

The future positions of the Springbok coaching and management team will be reviewed in December, and although initial speculation suggested Meyer was set for another term, it has recently emerged that he is likely to be replaced.

Meyer has endured a tumultuous year at the helm of the national side, with the Springboks losing to Argentina and Japan for the first time, while finishing last in the Rugby Championship and bowing out at the semi-final stage of the World Cup.

The Bok coach has also come in for widespread criticism over the slow rate of transformation, and the lack of progression shown in the Springboks’ style of play.

Should the decision to replace Meyer be ratified at Saru's general council meeting in December, Coetzee has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the top job.

After a lengthy spell at the helm of the Stormers and Western Province, Coetzee took up a coaching position with Japanese side, the Kobelco Steelers, earlier this year.

However, he has an exit clause in place for a high-profile job such as that with the Boks, and it’s unlikely that his Japanese employers would stand in his way should Saru make an offer.

Saru's general council meeting is set to to take place on 11 December, but will be proceeded by a meeting of the executive council on 9 December.

Announcements around those decisions are only expected to be made during the week of 14-18 December.

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