These are good times to be a rugby coach. Or not.

Those on the outside looking in suddenly have a range of possibilities – four of South Africa’s Super Rugby franchises are looking for head coaches – but some, like Frans Ludeke and Naka Drotske, find themselves in the wilderness.

Such is the life of a sports coach where putting roots down is never a smart idea.

At the Sharks, Gary Gold has been kicked upstairs, leaving a vacancy for the Super Rugby job. Brad McLeod-Henderson won’t get it, though – he’s just quit as assistant.

The Bulls are also searching for a new main man after Ludeke suddenly found his time was up. Nollis Marais has been handed the Currie Cup job, but the more senior post remains vacant. Victor Matfield is the name on everyone’s lips, but caution best be the watchword. Martin Johnson’s haunted experience with England offers a valid frame of reference.

Backline coach Pieter Rossouw may also soon up sticks, although nothing has been confirmed.

Back in Super Rugby from next season, the Kings are after more than just top players. They are also pursuing a director of rugby and a coach. Given how the top men all get snapped up, each day that passes ratchets up the pressure. This is not good, particularly as the Kings need to fast prove themselves.

Even Griquas are after a coach after Maties swooped for Hawies Fourie, one of the shrewdest operators around.

The Cheetahs, too, are shopping. Promising Franco Smith has taken up residence in Drotske’s seat, but he needs a backline coach (Fourie did the job at Super Rugby level).

The Stormers also have more than just a big game on their mind this week. With coach Allister Coetzee on his way to Japan, there’s a major opening at Newlands. Discussions have taken place with a couple of interesting candidates, but money, more specifically not enough of it, is proving critical.

The scrambling behind the scenes is furious. It’s all change in South African rugby.

Hold on tight.