Kolisi beat the Springbok captain, Warren Whiteley, as well as the Toyota Cheetahs duo of Makazole Mapimpi and Rosko Specman to the award.

Coetzee is under pressure after the Springboks second straight dismal season, and chances are that the South African Rugby Union may show him the door.

Speaking to OFM Sport after receiving his award Kolisi said it was tough on the players not having continuity in the coaching structures.

“I don’t know if he staying and I don’t know if he is going, but, it’s been a better year.

“I think we have improved quite a lot. To be quite honest, we haven’t had a stable coaching staff.

“We had three different defence coaches last year.

“They all came with different systems. This year we lost two different coaches before the end.

“It’s tough for us players to settle down and adapt and have continuity.”

Coetzee and the Springboks performance in 2017 is expected to be reviewed this week.

It is believed that the new Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, will be taking charge of the national team. Whether Coetzee gets fired or not, it is believed that the former Cheetahs and Munster coach will be calling the shots.

Should Coetzee not get axed, he could be relieved of his duties and be appointed as an assistant coach to the national side. Coetzee and the Springboks forwards coach, Matthew Proudfoot, have both also been linked with a move to Japan.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport