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Springbok coach’s term to end in France

SA Rugby


South African Rugby confirmed on Saturday that Jacque Nienaber will end his stint as Springbok Rugby coach at the end of the World Cup in France.

But, SARU said Nienaber’s focus, for now, remains on the “major task of the year.”

In a statement, the Coach said that the past few years have been the highlight of his career, and he departs with a heavy heart.

Nienaber said he was leaving the country for personal reasons.

SA Rugby Magazine reports that Irish giants Leinster confirmed that Nienaber will take over as head coach at the club after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, said: “Jacques was very open with us about the reasons for wanting to leave South Africa at the end of the season.”

“We will confirm a successor in the title role of Springbok coach in due course – that planning will go on in the background, but Rassie Erasmus’ services are locked-in to the end of 2025 at the very least,” he added.

SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, paid tribute to Nienaber, saying he was a “great servant of South African rugby at  provincial and national level for two decades.”

He reiterated that the 2023 season remains the priority for Jacques, as the Springboks kick off the international season against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July.

This will be in the opening round of the shortened Castle Lager Rugby Championship, which will be followed by clashes against New Zealand in Auckland a week later, and Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday, 29 July.