Munster confirm signing of Bok ace Van Graan

MUNSTER and the Irish Rugby Football Union have confirmed the appointment of Johann van Graan as the new head coach of the PRO14 club.

Van Graan has been part of the South African coaching set-up since 2012 and will shift from his role of forwards coach to take charge of Munster next month, subject to obtaining a work permit.

He will be initially working with present Munster rugby director Rassie Erasmus, who will leave the province in December to take up the role of South African Rugby Union’s new rugby director.

Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said: “After a worldwide search, we are delighted to secure Johann van Graan as Munster head coach. We are getting a recognised rugby intellectual with a proven track record and extensive experience working with a national side.

“An analyst of the game, his technical ability and interpersonal skills have made him an integral member of the South African rugby landscape for over a decade.

“We know Johann, with forwards coach Jerry Flannery and back-line and attack coach, Felix Jones, will continue to establish the structures and processes required to bring this Munster team forward.” Van Graan, left, said: “Some of the words I associate with Munster are passion, excellence, ambition and integrity, and I feel very fortunate to be handed this opportunity.”