The Dutch-born Westerhof was in contention for the job a few weeks ago, but lost out to Zimbabwean coach Sunday Marimo.

However, Marimo had his contract terminated when he failed to turn up in East London to resume his duties last Friday.

Marimo claimed to have had his passport stolen following a burglary at his home in Zimbabwe and Bucks then offered the post to New Bafana Bafana assistant coach Steve Komphela, but the former manning Rangers coach turned down the offer.

Westerhof conceded that he was only offered the job on Wednesday and immediately accepted, travelling to East London to negotiate the terms of his contract the same day.

"I nearly missed the plane but the pilot waited for me," he quoted by News24.com.

The 64-year-old former Zimbabwe coach has signed a one-year contract with Bush Bucks and also took Nigeria to victory at the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994.