Jacques Nienaber has been named as the new head coach of the Springboks’, replacing World Cup winner Rassie Erasmus.
Former coach, Erasmus, who led South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup title in Japan last November will now serve in the capacity of Director of Rugby.
The former physio, Nienaber, who has been promoted from his role as an assistant and defense coach, will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the team.
Nienaber has been the favourite to replace Erasmus since the latter announced after the World Cup that he would be stepping down.
Erasmus will continue to be in charge of team strategy after the tweak in the coaching panel in a bid to sustain continuity.
“This is a massive honour and responsibility, but I think I have a good understanding of what it entails, especially in this new structure,” Nienaber said.
“I’ve worked with Rassie in a coaching capacity for nearly two decades now and we have a very good idea of how each of us thinks and as I’ll still be reporting to him our working relationship won’t be changing.
“It’s a big step-up for me in terms of carrying the day-to-day leadership role and there’ll be other adjustments but in many ways it will also be business as usual.
“We’ve built up a good culture over the past two years and we’ll simply be looking to extend that.”
Mzwandile Stick was reappointed as an assistant coach, while Felix Jones will continue on the panel as a consultant despite being based Europe.
Former Boks front-rower Daan Human and Deon Davids were also added to the staff as forwards coaches.
“The coaching team has undergone a refresh but there is a strong theme of continuity and succession planning,” SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said in a statement on Friday.
“Rassie will remain the director of Springbok affairs but this is a deserved opportunity for Jacques to come out of the shadows and provide Test experience to Daan and Deon.
“We are defending the Castle Lager Rugby Championship title in 2020 and are already looking forward to the visit of the British & Irish Lions in just over 18 months’ time so there is no let-up for the team.”
The Springboks will play two Tests against the Scots on July 4 and 11 before facing Georgia the following weekend on July 18 in South Africa.
