Keeping Boks on top
MISSION: NIENABER HAS TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS POST-WORLD CUP
Deon Davids and Daan Human will be joining the backroom staff.
Newly appointed Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says he is completely focused on retaining the continuity which the national team achieved by winning the World Cup last year.
Nienaber, the previous defence coach, was blunt yesterday about his vision and the high expectations of the South African public, after being named as Rassie Erasmus’
successor.
Together with Nienaber’s appointment to take the team through to the 2023 World Cup in France, Deon Davids was named as the new forwards coach, while Daan Human was named as the scrum coach, taking over from the departed Matt Proudfoot.
“The main objective would be to maintain the continuity we started back in 2018 with our strategic goals and ensure that we keep on winning,” Nienaber said.
“There will also be a big focus on transformation and building depth and quality within the squad.”
Nienaber said he was aware that there was usually a setback period following a World Cup win, be he was keen in tandem with Erasmus (now the SA Rugby Union
director of rugby) to ensure it didn’t happen.
“To get on top is tough but to stay there is even tougher, and we don’t want a situation where we have to wait another 12 years before we win the World Cup again,” he said.
“I know there are people who might think it’s a gamble because I haven’t been a head coach before, but I will have to prove them wrong by winning. I also wouldn’t have taken the job if I thought I wasn’t able to do it.”
Erasmus said it was crucial for people to not be misled into thinking he was still the Bok coach because Nienaber and the other national coaches would be reporting to him.
“I have worked closely with Jacques for more than 20 years and when there’s a decision to be made like in last year’s World Cup, people mustn’t think it’s Rassie’s plan,” Erasmus said.
“But we work and discuss strategies as a collective, which is eventually to the benefit of Springbok rugby.”
While Saru president Mark Alexander was satisfied with the Bok coaching staff, the same could not be said of the Super Rugby franchises where he feels there’s still a lack of transformation.”
Erasmus said the reason why his successor’s job was not advertised was because he felt Nienaber’s appointment would be in everybody’s best interest.
“We had to do what’s the best for the Boks and continuity was the biggest issue.”