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OPINION: SA Rugby to consider these men to be next Bok coach?
Nienaber's decision will allow the next generation to start off with a new coach and afford them a chance to build a new team.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber will step down from his role after this year’s Rugby World Cup. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images
The big question now is, who will SA Rugby consider to take over from Jacques Nienaber, who has announced he will be done with the Springboks after this year’s World Cup in France.
While the news of his departure is not surprising, the announcement on Saturday was, but I sense someone got wind of it and SA Rugby and Nienaber wanted to control what was said and how.
Heading to Leinster
Anyhow. Nienaber will be done with the Boks later this year with his next job being at Irish powerhouse Leinster. Well done to him and good luck … however, please keep your focus on the Boks and the World Cup for the next few months.
And while SA Rugby have stated director of rugby and 2019 World Cup mastermind Rassie Erasmus is “locked in” until 2025 I wouldn’t be surprised if he too were to say thanks to SA rugby and also move on post the tournament in France … whatever happens with the Boks.
ALSO READ: ‘Jacques Nienaber an outstanding man, great coach,’ says Leinster boss
While losing Nienaber (and potentially Erasmus) is a blow to the Boks because he has done a lot of great work since joining the team in 2018, his moving on will allow the next generation to start off with a new coach and afford them a chance to build a new team.
The reality is many of the current crop of Boks won’t be going to the World Cup in 2027 so a fresh start is possibly not the worst scenario. However, because of all the good work done by the current 2019 World Cup-winning group, from players to coaching team, a complete overhaul also wouldn’t be the wisest thing.
Who is next?
So, will current assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick or Deon Davids be considered head coach options, or will SA Rugby look elsewhere?
READ MORE: Stick or Davids likely to succeed Nienaber as Springbok coach
There are a few candidates they could consider: John Dobson, John Plumtree, Johan Ackermann, maybe Swys de Bruin, or someone who is not South African, though that would be a huge surprise.
I wonder when would be the best time to name a replacement for Nienaber: before the World Cup to settle everyone’s nerves, or only after? What an interesting few months lie ahead.
