18 Facts About Heyneke Meyer

Heyneke Meyer was born on 6 October 1967 and is a professional rugby union coach, best known for coaching the Springboks from 2012 until 2015.

Heyneke Meyer obtained various degrees after high school life, including BA, Hons BA.

Heyneke Meyer, who studied at University of Pretoria, played for the university's rugby team, the Tukkies.

Heyneke Meyer took on a player-coaching role with the team, and upon graduating in 1988, he took on a full-time role with the team.

Heyneke Meyer coached various High School and Under-21 teams in Pretoria, before joining the SWD Eagles in the Currie Cup in 1997.

Heyneke Meyer first started as an assistant coach with the team under Phil Pretorius, before being given the reigns of head coach in 1998.

Heyneke Meyer improved their positioning in the Currie Cup, finishing seventh after the regular season.

Haven been appointed head coach of the Bulls for the 2000 Super 12 season, taking over from Eugene van Wyk, Heyneke Meyer stood down from his post with the Eagles.

Heyneke Meyer didn't take part in the Blue Bulls Currie Cup campaign that year due to his Springboks commitments, though returned to Pretoria in 2002 as full-time coach with the Bulls at Super 12 and Currie Cup.

Heyneke Meyer remained with the Blue Bulls which he reach two consecutive Vodacom Cup semi-finals in 2003 and 2004, and claimed three consecutive Currie Cup titles in 2002,2003 and 2004.

Heyneke Meyer later took up an executive role with the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.

Heyneke Meyer made his first international appearance as a coach in 1999 when he coached the Emerging Springboks.

Heyneke Meyer later became forwards coach for the Springboks ahead of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Heyneke Meyer remained with the Springboks between his club commitments, until 2001, when he returned to Pretoria as a full-time coach with the Bulls and Blue Bulls.

In January 2012, Heyneke Meyer was named head coach of South Africa on a 4-year term until after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Heyneke Meyer later led South Africa to third in the 2012 Rugby Championship, opening with a win at Newlands and a draw in Buenos Aires against newcomers.

Heyneke Meyer was called a "racist" in the media due to the lack of "black" players being selected, which even led to the team being taken to court, with their position at the 2015 Rugby World Cup under threat.

Heyneke Meyer, often criticized for favouring "experience over talent", made a public apology to the South African nation for this loss, admitting that the team's performance was "unacceptable".