Imagine having to post your diplomas on social media to prove your credentials to the world.
This to set the record straight after incorrect media reports, claiming that you are unqualified in your field, have spoiled your chances of getting a job.
This is the public and professional humiliation that Peter de Villiers has had to endure this week.
The former Springbok rugby coach has applied for the head coach post at the Southern Kings.
Then last weekend, Rapport newspaper and Radio 702 reported that Snor Man had been ruled out as a candidate for the Kings job because he did not have a Level 3 coaching certificate.
It is not clear who the source of this information was - clearly someone who does not want P Divvy to get the job - but the media did not bother to do a fact check and ran with the story.
Div then took to Twitter and hit back, saying: “It is with great concern that it has been stated on Talk Radio 702 on the sports show that I do not have a Level 3 coaching
certificate.
“This is unfortunate and deliberately designed by various media channels to continue to malign me and prevent me from succeeding in my current interview process with the Kings.”
In a statement, he added: “Attached is confirmation of my certificate which was verified before I coached the Springboks. As a matter of fact I attained my International Level 3 coaching certificate in 1997 in Wales.”
Former SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins confirmed in an affidavit that a technical committee had thoroughly investigated and scrutinised his qualifications.
Rapport also reported that New Zealand’s Steve Jackson, the
current Samoa coach, is the only remaining candidate on the shortlist to replace Deon Davids as Kings boss.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/Radio702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Radio702reported that I don't have a Level 3 rugby coaching certificate. For the record I attained it in Wale's in 1997. I would never have coached the Boks without it. It's all lies designed to malign me and prevent me from being hired by The Kings, regards PDV @TandoManana pic.twitter.com/zrrRmFVEp4
— Peter De Villiers (@PeterDeVillier5)
Then on Tuesday, the Kings came out and said the speculation was “inaccurate” and clarified: “While the job advertisement for the vacant position called for a candidate with a World Rugby Level 3 qualification, as per minimum requirement for all elite coaches, and experience at the highest level, it was discovered that only one of the candidates that were interviewed had the required qualifications.”
Well, then that can only be De Villiers.
The man’s CV ticks every box.
He has a World Rugby Level 3 qualification.
Experience at the highest level? Definitely. He coached the Bokke from 2008 to 2011, during which time he won the Tri-Nations and was the first and only SA coach to record a series victory over the British and Irish Lions.
And he boasts a 47% win ratio against the All Blacks - at a time when Bok fans are
celebrating Rassie Erasmus’ 16-16 draw in Wellington.
The only possible problem is that Div might be over-qualified for the Kings job.
But if he wants it, he certainly deserves it.
No pressure, but after listing their criteria, the Kings had better appoint De Villiers.
Because if they hire a foreign coach, instead of the most decorated black coach in South Africa, there’s going to be hell to pay.
Munier reckons it’s time SA Rugby and the media dropped the
vendetta against Div.
Yes, he doesn’t have a handbrake on his groot bek and tells it like it is, which routinely lands him in trouble with rugby bosses.
But the man is a champion coach with experience at every level - junior and senior.
And these are qualities that are desperately short in supply in SA rugby these days.