Heyneke Meyer linked to Harlequins position - Ruck

Heyneke Meyer linked to Harlequins position

  • Heyneke Meyer is the latest name to be linked with the Harlequins job
  • The former South Africa head coach led the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup semi-final
  • Quins hope to announce a replacement for Conor O’Shea before the end of the season
Heyneke Meyer is the latest name to be linked to becoming Harlequins director of rugby after Gregor Townsend publically distanced himself from the position yesterday.

He led South Africa to a third-place finish at the Rugby World Cup last Autumn, but that campaign will be forever defined by their group stage defeat to Japan.

Nevertheless, there has been no shortage of offers for his services since his resignation, particularly from Japan, and Meyer is currently understood to be weighing up several roles on his game farm in the Free State.



The 28-year-old, who spent a brief spell with Leicester Tigers in 2008, boasts a formidable record as a club coach from his time with Bulls where he won one Super 14 and four Currie Cups.

Harlequins had hoped to announce a successor for Conor O’Shea, who will leave to become Italy head coach, by the end of the season.

However, so far though it has been a challenging job with the likes of New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith and Glasgow head coach Gregor Townsend ruling themselves out of the running.



“This will the only thing I will be saying on this,” Townsend said.

“There was a story in the press that is a complete non-story. I am contracted here next year and that is where I will be staying.

“People get linked to jobs all around the place but, as you know, I signed a contract for next year and I’m really looking forward to being here next year. I wasn’t approach by them, and will not be talking about this again. I am staying here.”