Former Leicester coach Heyneke Meyer, has been named as the new South Africa national rugby coach.

The 44 year old Meyer, who steered the Bulls to four Currie Cup titles between 2002 and 2006 and their first Super 14 crown in 2007, was appointed on a four year contract.

Meyer succeeds the controversial Peter de Villiers, who won a single Tri Nations title and beat the British and Irish Lions in 2009 before guiding the Springboks to the quarter finals of last year's World Cup in New Zealand.

Meyer had initially been the favorite to succeed Jake White in 2008 when De Villiers was appointed, and he subsequently quit rugby before joining Leicester in June 2008.

Meyer has been named by lock Victor Matfield, the most capped Springbok, as the best coach he has worked under.

Story by: Dhanjay Deo
Source: stuff.co.nz