Former Springboks Coach Heyneke Meyer in Talks for Return to South Western District Eagles
- Heyneke Meyer is reportedly in advanced discussions to take up a coaching role in his home country
- Meyer brings a wealth of coaching experience, having led provincial sides, the Bulls, and the Springboks on major campaigns
- He is the director of rugby at Houston SaberCats in the United States, where he recently guided the team to the 2023 MLR final
Former Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer could be on the verge of a coaching comeback in South Africa, with negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage.
The move would see the 57-year-old reconnect with familiar territory, a union that shaped the early part of his provincial career.
Source: Getty Images
Meyer, who has since been overtaken by current Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus in Rugby Championship wins, has been in talks with the South Western District Eagles.
Former Springboks head coach Heyneke Meyer could be on his way back to South Africa, with talks at an advanced stage for a reunion with the South Western District Eagles, the very union where his provincial coaching journey began.
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Why the Eagles?
Meyer’s connection with the George-based side runs deep. He first arrived at the Eagles in 1997 as an assistant coach before taking the reins as head coach from 1998 to 2000. During that period, he transformed a struggling outfit into semi-finalists in the Currie Cup within just two seasons, a turnaround still remembered fondly in the region.
Now, more than two decades later, the 57-year-old is being considered for a senior role once again, potentially as director of rugby or head coach.
The Eagles endured a difficult Currie Cup Division One campaign this year, winning only one of their five matches and finishing second from bottom. The prospect of Meyer returning is seen as a way of injecting fresh direction into the union.
Watch the video below of Heyneke Meyer on the 2013 Eden Park Test match.
What has he achieved since leaving?
Since departing the Eagles, Meyer has built an impressive résumé across the rugby world. He guided the Bulls to multiple Currie Cup successes and a Super Rugby title, before stints in England with Leicester Tigers and in France with Stade Français.
He took charge of the Springboks between 2012 and 2015, steering them to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup, with Jean De Villiers as the captain.
Source: Getty Images
Despite the shock pool-stage defeat to Japan in Brighton, a result regarded as the biggest upset in the tournament’s history, Meyer’s side bounced back to push eventual champions New Zealand to the brink, losing narrowly 20-18 in the last four.
More recently, Meyer has been working in the United States as director of rugby with Major League Rugby side Houston SaberCats.
Under his stewardship since 2021, the franchise reached the 2023 MLR final, falling agonisingly short in a 28-22 defeat to the New England Free Jacks.
Look at the tweet below of the Springboks coaches' success rate.
Could his experience be the difference?
Meyer’s return would bring significant global expertise to the South Western Districts, a union desperate to re-establish itself as a competitive force. His history of turning underperforming sides into contenders gives weight to the belief that he could spark a revival in George.
Negotiations remain ongoing, but if concluded successfully, Meyer’s homecoming could prove one of the most intriguing coaching moves in South African rugby this year.
Rassie Erasmus pays tribute to late Springbok Bevin Fortuin
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has paid tribute to the late fullback Bevin Fortuin, who passed away on Thursday, 11 September 2025.
Fortuin earned two caps for the Springboks, debuting against Ireland in 2006 and featuring against Australia during the 2007 Tri-Nations series.
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Source: Briefly News
