Springboks coach Allister Coetzee looks set to be sacked following his criticism of South African Rugby Union for setting him up to fail.
During his two-year tenure, Coetzee won just 11 of his 25 Tests in charge, with defeats to Italy, Wales and Ireland.
Despite boasting the worst win ratio of any 'Boks coach for 20 years, he refutes any responsibility and shifts the blame onto the SARU.
South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper reports Coetzee sent a scathing letter to the governing body, accusing it of ill-practice.
Coetzee met with CEO Jurie Roux on January 18 about what he thought was an upcoming performance review, but was told his time as Springboks coach was up.
"Instead, the meeting was used as a platform to inform me of SARU's decision to inter alia, terminate my contract of employment with immediate effect," Coetzee writes in his letter.
"You further informed me that a further aspect of decision is that my services will be terminated regardless of the outcome of the anticipated performance review, as contemplated by my employment contract."
Coetzee also alleges his sacking is to make way for SARU's new director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, to take the helm.
He believes a potential demotion, should he stay on board, would constitute unfair labour practice and infringe his right to equality.
"And should I wish to remain in SARU'S employment, I will be reduced to a ceremonial coach, and further that, Johan Erasmus ["Rassie"] has already been employed to replace me and is already performing the duties of a Springbok coach.
"Should I be reduced to the position of ceremonial coach I would have the fact in the indignity of reporting to Rassie."
Coetzee likens his perceived treatment by SA rugby to that of former outspoken and controversial coach Peter de Villiers.
"I will not allow elements in SARU to wilfully destroy me and render me unemployable as was done to Peter De Villiers.
"I was the most successful Super Rugby coach at the time of my appointment and was requested to return to Springbok rugby from Japan because my country needed me.
"My treatment since my return as suggests that elements in SARU embarked on a deliberate attempt to undermine me from the word go and to create the public impression of incompetence on my part whilst wilfully obstructing my efforts to be successful."
Newshub.
