Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was one of five candidates who appeared on Wednesday for his interview for the new EP Elephants head coaching role.
According to the EP Herald, De Villiers appeared apprehensive when he arrived for his interview at Imatu House in Sydenham.
The interview process began with former Springbok assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher, followed by De Villiers, then Deon Kayser, Jonathan Mokuena and Kevin Musikanth.
The interview panel consisted of Maasdorp Cannon (chairperson), Zola Yeye, Qondakele Sompondo, Jaco Kirsten and Yoliswa Lumka.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE TO BE NAMED NEXT WEEK
The successful candidate is expected to announced next week.
Kayser, De Villiers and Loubscher appeared in person while Mokuena and Musikanth’s interviews were done via a Zoom.
De Villiers would be a popular choice as coach.
The successful applicant will oversee the EP Elephants during next year’s SA Cup and Currie Cup campaigns.
The SA Cup kicks off in March 2021 and EP have set their sights on qualification for the Currie Cup Premier Division by finishing among the top 3 teams in the coastal stream of the tournament.
DE VILLIERS LED SPRINGBOKS TO BRITISH LIONS WIN
While not everyone’s cup of tea while at the helm of the Springboks, under De Villiers’ leadership (from 2008 to 2011) the national side won 30 of their 48 matches.
That 62.5% win percentage included a 47% win percentage against the All Blacks, having played them 11 times, winning 5 and losing 6 of those matches.
De Villiers is the first Springbok coach since Nick Mallett to have a 100% win record over the All Blacks in a single year (2009).
De Villiers led the Springboks to victory in the 2009 Tri-Nations as well as a Test series win over the British & Irish Lions the same year.
