Heyneke Meyer was the first South African coach to lift the Vodacom Super Rugby trophy and is one of the most successful coaches in local rugby in the professional era.

Meyer has been part of teams that have not only progressed to the knock-out stages of their various competitions, but also gone on to win them, ever since he started his provincial coaching career.

His first position as provincial head coach came at the age of 30 in 1998, at the SWD Eagles, and he immediately took the team to the semi-finals of the Vodacom Cup. A year later Meyer guided the Eagles to a top-four finish in the Absa Currie Cup.

Meyer reached his first final in 2001, leading the Vodacom Blue Bulls to the Vodacom Cup title, having already had a period as an assistant Springbok coach.

Three consecutive Absa Currie Cup crowns for the Vodacom Blue Bulls followed in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He also helped turn the Vodacom Bulls around from dwelling near the bottom of the Vodacom Super 12 log, to consecutive semi-finals in 2005 and 2006.

The first Vodacom Super Rugby title for a South African team followed in 2007, when Meyer masterminded the Vodacom Bulls’ victory over The Sharks in an epic final in what had become the Vodacom Super 14 in Durban.

This is not Meyer’s first stint with the Springboks, having been involved as assistant coach under Nick Mallett (1999 and 2001) as well as Harry Viljoen (2001).

Personal:

Date of birth: 6 October 1967

Age: 44

Place of birth: Nelspruit

Education: Bergvlam HS (Nelspruit), University of Pretoria

Degrees obtained: BA (Pcychology, Geography and Human Movement Science), Hons BA (Geography), HED

Family: Married to Linda, three children

Coaching career:

· 1988-1996: Coached a number of High School first teams, Under-21 sides and Carlton first teams in Pretoria.

· 1997: SWD Eagles assistant coach

· 1998: SWD Eagles head coach (Vodacom Cup semi-finalists and Absa Currie Cup)

· 1998: Emerging Springboks head coach

· 1999: DHL Stormers assistant coach (semi-finalists in Vodacom Super 12)

· 1999: SWD Eagles head coach (semi-finalists in Absa Currie Cup)

· 1999: Springbok assistant coach (third place, Rugby World Cup)

· 2000: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12)

· 2001: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Vodacom Cup champions)

· 2001: Springbok assistant coach

· 2002: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)

· 2003: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)

· 2004: Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup champions)

· 2005: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 12 semi-finalists), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup runners up)

· 2006: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 14 semi-finalists), Vodacom Blue Bulls head coach (Absa Currie Cup joint champions)

· 2007: Vodacom Bulls head coach (Vodacom Super 14 champions)

· 2008-2009: Leicester Tigers head coach

· 2011: Tuks Varsity Cup – Advisor

· 2011: Blue Bulls Company – Executive: Rugby

· 2012: Springbok head coach

Please note: Heyneke Meyer does not have an official Facebook page or a Twitter account.

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

The 44-year-old Blue Bulls rugby executive takes over from Peter de Villiers, who coached the Springboks from 2008 to 2011. He will take charge as head coach of the 1995 and 2007 Rugby World Cup champions for the first time against England in Durban on June 9.

Meyer said he relished the opportunity to make all South Africans proud of the Springboks.

“Having been involved with the Blue Bulls for so long, I’ve experienced first hand how passionate South African rugby supporters are,” said Meyer. “I know the importance of rugby in the South African psyche and will do everything in my power to ensure the Springboks remain among the pace setters of world rugby.

“I’m very happy to accept this enormous honour and massive responsibility,” he said.

Meyer was head coach of the Vodacom Bulls when they became the first South African team to lift the coveted Vodacom Super 14 trophy in 2007. Before that, he steered the Vodacom Blue Bulls to Absa Currie Cup titles in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 (shared).

Meyer also has experience of coaching in the Springbok environment. He served as assistant coach to both Nick Mallett and Harry Viljoen at the Boks. He has also been a Springbok coaching candidate in the past.

“The first time I felt I still had things to achieve at the Bulls, and the second time it was decided to appoint someone else,” he said. “I’d like to thank my family and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for their unwavering support over the past decade. I hope to keep the country’s rugby supporters united behind the Boks.”

Mr Oregan Hoskins, President of SARU, said Meyer received unanimous support from the General and the Executive Councils of SARU.

“The Springboks are SARU’s top priority,” he said. “Heyneke’s coaching pedigree is second to none in South Africa. He will be an asset to the Boks and South African rugby in general,” said Mr Hoskins.

“I’d also like thank our outgoing coach Peter de Villiers for his passion, hard work and dedication over the past four years. However, it was felt that we needed a man with a new approach and new ideas to take over one of the toughest jobs in South African sport.

“Heyneke has our full support and we know he won’t leave any stone unturned as he strives to take the Boks back to the top of international rugby.”

According to Jurie Roux, SARU CEO, Meyer’s appointment was the culmination of a thorough process during which the best candidates were evaluated as part of a head hunting process before the Exco unanimously opted to make a formal offer to Meyer.

“The Blue Bulls wished to retain his services but his contract contains an exit clause which has been exercised; very few people can resist the call when your country says it needs you,” said Roux.

“The Springboks are the heartbeat of rugby in South Africa and it was paramount to get the best possible candidate to coach the team going forward. We believe we have done that.”

Roux said decisions on Meyer’s support staff will only be taken later, in consultation with the new Springbok coach. “No appointments in this regard have been made,” he said.

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

Final line-up announced for Cape Jazz Festival

The final announcement of artists for the 2012 Cape Town International Jazz Festival, on 30 and 31 March, 2012, has been made. The headline acts reflect the festival’s philosophy of broadening audiences’ perspectives of jazz.

“If it’s music, sweet music, let it play,” is the philosophy of Jamaican-hailing reggae band Third World – one of the headline acts. Originally formed in 1973 in Kingston, Third World has over its three-decade-spanning career interwoven subtleties of funk, soul, R&B and rock into reggae music, releasing 23 albums in total.

Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Marcus Miller is another major artist who headlines the festival. While Millers’ main instrument is bass, his prolific work started in the late 70s. He has worked as an arranger, songwriter, film score composer, keyboardist, clarinetist and saxophonist. A live set from Miller can include an odd mix of anything from The Talking Heads to John Coltrane and The Stylistics. Some of his best known work is with Miles Davis during the early 80s.

Hits ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Avant Gershwin

Harlem-born songwriter and vocalist Patti Austin and her trio will perform hits ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Avant Gershwin. Austin has a legacy of 16 solo albums that cross musical boundaries.

Completing the headliners of international performers is Kansas City-born vocalist Kevin Mahogany. Starting off his career as an instrumentalist, Mahogany has focused his career on being a jazz vocalist in the style of Joe Williams. Currently he runs his own label called Mahogany Jazz.

Quincy Jones is responsible for discovering and introducing Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez to the festival organisers. The impromptu performance of Rodriguez in Jones’ lounge for organisers Rashid Lombard and Billy Domingo convinced the pair that Rodriguez was a natural fit for the festival.

Other international performers

Other international performers at the festival include Chinese minimalist solo pianist Xia Jia and French bossa nova-meets-nu-wave act Nouvelle Vague. Joining them is Allen Stone, a storytelling guitarist and singer from Washington who could be described as a funky white boy with soul. Angolan afro-funk singer and composer Gabriel Tchiema complete the line-up of international acts.

South African trumpeter and bandleader Hugh Masekela returns to the festival and presents a special project for the first time on local shores. Masekela will rally up an army of musical giants for Mama Africa, a tribute to the great songbird Miriam Makeba. Masekela as musical director joins forces with a powerhouse trio of vocalists: Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswa Mazwai and Zolani Mahola. The show made its debut at the Rio Loco Festival in Toulouse, France in June, 2010, and has since travelled to Barcelona, London and Berlin.

Dorothy Masuka will also perform at the festival. Masuka rose to fame in the 50s as a struggle artist as a singer alongside the likes of Masekela and Makeba.

Hip hop

HHP, aka Hip Hop Pantsula, and Cape Town’s Ill Skillz, aka Ill Literate Skill, join the line-up. HHP is a multi-SAMA award-winning rapper and alongside Ill Skillz represent fresh and youthful South African voices.

There is a huge focus on African roots and rhythms on the festival line-up this year. Pietermaritzburg-born saxophonist Steve Dyer has been on the South African music scene for some time but he has constantly evolved musically. His latest project Ubuntu Music will be released as an album this year and performed at the festival for the first time. His band features pianist Bokani Dyer, bassist Shaun Johannes, trumpeter Lwanda Gogwana and drummer Andre Swartz.

Debut albums

In a similar vein, South African bassist Herbie Tsoaeli will be presenting his debut album “African Time”. Harmonica player Adam Glasser has spent significant time between South Africa and the UK, collaborating with major artists from both countries, such as Dudu Pukwana and Toots Thielemens. Glasser will present his latest album” Mzansi” at the festival. Cape Town-based saxophonist Victor Kula grew up in Rylands and now resides in Gugulethu. He has kept his musical associations proudly local and is greatly influenced by the late Winston ‘Mankunku’ Ngozi. Hassan’adas led by percussionist John Hassan experiments with Marrabenta and African jive rhythms.

Old-school glitz and glamour diva Sophia Foster, one of SA’s sisters of song also joins the line-up. Another kind of diva, ex-fashion stylist Lindiwe Suttle initiated her career as a vocalist with Rus Nerwich and The Collective Imagination in 2008. Now Suttle has returned from Berlin with a more electronic focus on her debut album “Kamikaze Art”, courtesy of engineer Dave Kutch whose previous work includes Al Green and Alicia Keys.

Alter ego

Zakes Bantwini has himself confessed that his live performance launches a wilder alter-ego, “Zakhele Madida (his real name) is actually a shy guy and a bit reserved. When I ‘m on stage I am in a trance and the Zakes Bantwini character takes over. He just comes out”. Bantwini is one of the few South African artists who has managed to cross the boundary of afro-house and live jazz. Radio personality, Idols judge, singer and songwriter Unathi will also perform at the festival. Fans can expect new material from Unathi since she recently released her third album “With Love”.

Tickets for the festival are R400 for a single day pass and R550 for a two-day weekend pass. As in previous years, there is an additional fee of R30 per act for performances at the Rosies stage.

Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.

For more information, go to www.capetownjazzfest.com

The Sax Summit at West End on Sunday 29 January features giants Barney Rachabane and Khaya Mahlangu( pictured below)as well as Cape Town’s very own young lion Mark Fransman.

They will be backed and supported by:
George Werner – Piano
Errol Dyers – Guitar
Spencer Mbadu – Bass
Victor Kula – Sax
Ivan Bell – Drums

Stan The Jazzman will spin exclusively South African discs between sets.

Doors open 5pm.
CC R60.00 at the door
West End
College Road
Rylands
021 637 9132

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) confirmed on Wednesday that discussions had been held with Heyneke Meyer regarding his possible appointment as Springbok coach – as disclosed in a media release issued today by Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd. No appointment has yet been made.

The Executive Council (Exco) of SARU will be provided with a report back on those discussions at their meeting in Cape Town on Thursday. The Exco is constitutionally responsible for the appointment of the Springbok coach. Their recommendation has to be ratified by a General Meeting of SARU.

A Special General Meeting will take place in Cape Town on Friday at which the decision of the Exco will be tabled for ratification.

The 2 fixtures both take place at Newlands, with the Stormers taking on the Lions in the opener on Friday 27 January and then the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday 4 February. The games form an important part of each of the teams’ preparation for the rigours of Vodacom Super Rugby.

Allister Coetzee today announced a strong Stormers side to take on the Lions:

1. Steven Kitshoff

2. Deon Fourie

3. Brok Harris

4. Eben Etzebeth

5. De Kock Steenkamp

6. Schalk Burger (C)

7. Siya Kolisi

8. Nick Koster

9. Louis Schreuder

10. Gary van Aswegen

11. Bryan Habana

12. Jean de Villiers

13. Juan de Jongh

14. Gio Aplon

15. Joe Pietersen

Reserves

16. Tiaan Liebenberg

17. Deon Carstens

18. Frans Malherbe

19. Don Armandt

20. Reuben Johannes

21. Nizaam Carr

22. Nic Groom

23. Burton Francis

24. Marcel Brache

25. Gerhard van den Heever

26. Danie Poolman

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Stephan Dippenaar, the former Vodacom Bulls centre, is set to make his Springbok Sevens debut in New Zealand after he was included in the squad of 14 players for the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series, in Wellington and Las Vegas.

Dippenaar was named at a media conference at the team’s new, state-of-the-art headquarters at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport on Tuesday. The innovative facility was identified by SARU as supporting the strategy of placing the Sevens team at the cutting edge of the sport’s development.

The World Series resumes on 3 and 4 February in the New Zealand capital after a new-look opening leg of three tournaments towards the end of 2011 in Australia, Dubai and South Africa respectively. Following the stopover in Wellington, which is regarded as one of the most popular Series destinations, the Blitzbokke will then defend their USA title in Las Vegas from 10 to 12 February.

Dippenaar signed a two year contract last year with the Springbok Sevens team and he will now get his chance to show his worth after he was included in the travelling party in the place of William Small-Smith, who is currently involved with the SA Under-20 training squad.

The team departs on Friday from the Cape Town International Airport to Wellington via Johannesburg at 13h00.

The Springbok Sevens squad for Wellington and Las Vegas is:

1. Chris Dry

2. Chase Minnaar

3. Frankie Horne

4. Boom Prinsloo

5. Cornal Hendricks

6. Kyle Brown (captain)

7. Branco du Preez

8. Bernado Botha

9. Paul Delport

10. Cecil Afrika

11. Steven Hunt

12. Mark Richards

13. Stephan Dippenaar

14. Renfred Dazel

The jam-packed southern hemisphere schedule will see the All Blacks play three Tests against Ireland in June, just ahead of the Super Rugby play-offs in late July.

After a request from national coach Steven Hansen Blackadder has agreed to release his All Blacks from trainings on the Mondays and Tuesdays in the fortnight before the first Test in Auckland on 9 June. The players will train with the All Blacks for those four sessions.

The Crusaders, who provide an appreciable number of players to the Blacks, will hope for their charges to make it through the series unscathed given that they are likely to contest strongly for the title.

‘It is a compromise,’ Blackadder told Fairfax Media. ‘It is better than taking all of the [All Blacks] players out of the Super Rugby competition and leaving a team like the Crusaders or the Blues with very little depth to draw on.’

Meanwhile, it is reported that captain Richie McCaw and star flyhalf Dan Carter, both injured at the 2011 World Cup, are not expected to start playing until mid-March.

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