Rugby, Australian Football: Rugby Union: Lane axed as Springbok Assistant Coach

South Africa assistant coach Tim Lane has been relieved of his duties with the national team after "a difference of opinion" with head coach Rudolf Straeuli.

South African Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer confirmed that Lane would not form part of the 2003 national management structure.

The decision follows a meeting between Oberholzer and Springbok coach Straeuli.

"Rudolf believes he and Tim have contrasting coaching philosophies which impact on player selection and playing style," Oberholzer told sarugby.net, the national team's official website.

"He felt a continued association would lead to frustration on the part of both of them and this could have a negative impact on the squad's international prospects, especially the World Cup campaign."

Lane's dismissal signals Straeuli's determination to have his own coaching strategy firmly in place well ahead of the World Cup. The Springboks have a straightforward opener against Uruguay on October 11, before the daunting challenge of England seven days later with both matches to be staged in Perth.