photo: World Rugby

Former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer joins SaberCats

The Houston SaberCats have announced the signing of Heyneke Meyer as their new Director of Rugby for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. He succeeds Paul Healy in the role and will assume complete oversight of all rugby operations including the Rugby HTX academy program.

Meyer, 53, is a world-renowned coach best known for taking charge of South Africa from 2012 through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. At the tournament the Springboks were famously defeated by Japan in the pool stage but went on to finish third, losing to eventual champions New Zealand by only two points in the Semi Final.

Prior to his tenure as Head Coach of the Boks, Meyer led the Blue Bulls to a Vodacom Cup title in 2001 and three consecutive Currie Cup titles beginning in 2002. In 2006 his charges would reach another final only to tie the Cheetahs and share the title of champions.

In 2007 Meyer added a Super Rugby title to his resume, with the Bulls becoming the first South African team to win the competition. He had brief spell with Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership but left the club early for family reasons. Meyer was most recently in charge of Top 14 giants Stade Français, resigning halfway through his second season in 2019.

The hiring of Meyer is a major statement of intent from the SaberCats who are on course to finish at the bottom of the MLR table for a third time in four years. In a statement included in a formal press release, Meyer indicated that the club’s own purpose-built facility – AVEVA Stadium – was part of the what drew him to Houston.

“This is a very important time for the SaberCats organization. I am fully committed to turning this team into one that wins on a regular basis and brings a championship to all the dedicated fans of Houston. The SaberCats have the best facilities in the country, and I am excited to get to work.”

SaberCats President JT Onyett celebrated the announcement.

“Heyneke has a pattern of winning, and that’s what we want with the SaberCats. The interest in this job was very strong, but Heyneke stood out from the beginning. Not only does he bring instant credibility with his background, he presented a clear path for the future.”

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