SA face mass coaching exodus
The Austin Huns club confirmed on Thursday that Eloff, a two-time winner of the Under-19 world championship, will become their new head coach.
Confirmation of his departure comes on the same day that speculation intensified over the new coaching panel at English Premiership club Bath – with former Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer (2012 to 2015) and one of his assistants Johann van Graan (forwards) being linked to the outfit.
According to the Bath Chronicle, Van Graan was originally being lined up for a position as scrum coach.
However, Mike Ford's sudden departure this month has opened the top job – with both Meyer and Van Graan's names said to be in the hat, either as a combination or individually.
Van Graan, who is still contracted to the South African Rugby Union, was this week 'promoted' sideways – when Matt Proudfoot, a long-time confidant of new Bok coach Allister Coetzee, was named as part of the national team's new-look backroom staff.
Coetzee explained that Van Graan will be in charge of all 'team attack' and 'line-out play', while Proudfoot's responsibility will be the Springboks' scrummaging, breakdown and all aspects related to contact areas.
These developments – Eloff's departure to America, along with Meyer and Van Graan being linked to a move to England – follows in the wake of other high-profile departures in the past year.
Jake White, who won both the Under-21 (in 2002) and senior (2007) World Cup titles, last year moved to France – and last week won the European Challenge Cup with a Montpellier team that featured eight South Africans (Springboks Frans Steyn, Pierre Spies, Jannie du Plessis and Bismarck du Plessis, SA Sevens Bok Robert Ebersohn, along with fellow Saffas Demetri Catrakilis, Paul Willemse and Jacques Du Plessis).
And three weeks ago Johan Erasmus, the General Manager at the South African Rugby Union, announced that he had accepted a new position as Director of Rugby at Munster in Ireland.
Two-time Super Rugby winner with the Bulls Frans Ludeke and Jimmy Stonehouse, who took the Pumas to the First Division title, also currently coach in Japan.
Eloff, apart from his success with the SA U19 team in 2003 and 2005, coached the Lions at age-group, Currie Cup and Super Rugby level, while he was also in charge of the Boland team that won the South African First Division provincial title when they put 40 points past the Eastern Province Kings in the 2011 Final.
He said on Thursday that he is "really excited" by this new challenge of coaching in America.
"I am at the beginning of a new adventure," Eloff said.
"The United States has the potential to become one of the most successful rugby nations, and having the opportunity to take my knowledge there will be fantastic.
"I'm looking forward to working with the Huns management, and all of the Austin Huns volunteer coaches to help them grow the club and sport."
Eloff will also work with former All Black and Lions coach John Mitchell, who is currently the United States Eagles national team head coach.
"Well done on acquiring Loffie he is a good man," Mitchell said of Eloff's move to the Huns.
"Loffie's teams have always played with an attacking intent aligned with passion and effort.
"He loves the game, his people, and likes to learn."
Todd Clever, the US Eagles captain, is another American who speaks highly of Eloff – having played under him at the Lions.
"I have worked with Loffie in South Africa, and I know he is capable of bringing the Huns from an amateur club to a professional one," Clever said.
"His structure, vision, and knowledge of the game will definitely challenge the players.
"He is gifted in finding, and working with young talent to get the best out them."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
