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Nienaber new Springboks head coach - reports

By Online Editors
Springboks defence coach Jacques Nienaber with Lukhanyo Am. (Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images / Getty Images)

Jacques Nienaber is set to be named Springboks head coach later this month.

According to a report from Netwerk24 over the weekend, Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus presented his proposal for the future to SA Rugby on Thursday with defence guru Nienaber as his preferred choice to be head coach.

It is believed Erasmus plans were accepted by SA Rugby bosses with the Springboks coaching team set to be finalised before Christmas.

Last month it was reported that Nienaber and former Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids were the front-runners for the head coaching role.

The report added that Davids will now be included as an assistant coach.

Erasmus has close relationship with the Nienaber. They have known each other since the 1990s and Nienaber has been Erasmus’ right-hand man at the Free State Cheetahs, Stormers, Munster and now the Springboks.

After winning the World Cup, Erasmus has stepped down as head coach to focus on his responsibilities as director of rugby.

The 46-year-old said that he will work ‘very closely with the new head coach’.

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