Meyer 'humbled' at his Leicester Tigers appointment
Leicester Tigers' new South African head coach, Heyneke Meyer, has expressed his pleasure at being selected by the Guinness Premiership club, and admits to being 'humbled' by the interest shown by chairman Peter Tom, who called the 40-year-old the 'outstanding candidate, in the wake of Marcelo Loffreda's sacking.
Meyer, who has signed a three-year contract at Welford Road, is the most successful South African domestic coach in history, and in securing his skills the Tigers have pulled off a coup - that is the opinion of respected voices in his homeland.
Meyer led his hometown club - the Blue Bulls of Pretoria - to the Super 14 title in 2007, when they were the first South African club to do so. And he also helped the Bulls to four Currie Cup titles in five years. He left the club after that Super 14 success and this is his first appointment since, after being overlooked for the Springboks' national job.
He said: "I have always thought that if I want to get back into rugby it must be with one of the best clubs in the world, and I truly believe Leicester Tigers are one of the best clubs in world rugby.
"I have a lot of respect for what the club has achieved in the past and I have been impressed with everybody I have met from the club.
"I know there are a lot of competitive clubs in the Guinness Premiership and I am looking forward to the challenge with Leicester Tigers.
"I am humbled that a club like Leicester Tigers has considered me alongside the other candidates for the job of head coach and I am very thankful that they have appointed me."
Chairman Tom added: "We believe he is the man to take Leicester Tigers forward in a crucial time for this club."
But South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins has expressed his disappointment at losing Meyer to the Guinness Premiership and hopes the coach will return to his homeland soon.
"It's always disappointing when we lose a coach of that calibre," Hoskins said.
"Heyneke is a dedicated professional and top-notch coach but we feel it won't be a permanent move and there will always be a place for someone like Heyneke in South African rugby. We hope he will return soon.
"It's a compliment for South African rugby that our coaches are wanted overseas across the world. As with New Zealand coaches, many of them tend to go overseas first before returning and settling into the national set-up."
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