Springboks bosses step up bid to land Owens

NIGEL Owens has reportedly confirmed he’s been approached to work with South Africa in what is being dubbed a master move for the world champions.

The 2019 global title winners are said to be looking to appoint a referee coach to aid their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, with Owens reckoned to be the preferred candidate for the job amid a proposal being put to the national governing body’s executive committee.

And former Springboks team boss Nick Mallett believes hiring the Welsh refereeing legend could turn out to be an inspirational decision as South Africa look to successfully defend their crown in France this autumn.

Until now, suggestions that South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus had been in touch with Owens had been speculation. But Owens is reported to have told the Sunday newspaper Rapport: “Yes, I was approached by Rassie. I had a good conversation with him. Unfortunately, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

The thinking is that whoever lands the role would work towards bettering relations between the Springboks, Test referees and World Rugby after a number of high-profile fallouts in recent years.

Owens was viewed as the top referee of his generation, taking charge of the 2015

World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham. He also refereed England’s semi-final win over New Zealand in Japan last time out, widely regarded as the best match of the tournament.

Owens set aside his whistle in 2021 having controlled a record 100 Tests.

His potential appointment has been talked up by Mallett, Springbok coach between 1997 and 2000, who says in a column for News24: “Reports over the weekend suggested that the Springboks are looking to appoint Welsh legend Nigel Owens as their refereeing coach for the 2023 World Cup in France, where they will look to defend their title, and pulling this off would be nothing short of a masterstroke from Rassie.”

Owens has a contract with the Welsh Rugby Union to help bring through young refereeing talent in Wales.It could be the WRU want him to do work with Warren Gatland’s Wales team, instead, so it remains to be seen if Erasmus and South Africa get their way.