Nigel Owens is line to work with the Springboks. Photo: Getty Images

CONFIRMED: Nigel Owens in talks with Springboks

The Springboks could be edging closer to securing the services of Nigel Owens as a ‘referee coach’ for the World Cup.

by Craig Lewis

05-03-2023 10:01

in Rugby

Nigel Owens is line to work with the Springboks. Photo: Getty Images

The Springboks will feature in a fast-approaching Rugby Championship before heading into warm-up matches for the World Cup, which will run from 8 September to 28 October.

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There will be great anticipation as South Africa looks to defend the title they won in 2019, when detailed analysis of each referee played its part in the Springboks’ preparations. After the tournament, reports emerged of how the Bok team even appointed players as “good cop” and “bad cop” when speaking to officials.

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Ever since 2019, the Springboks – under the leadership of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber – have been all too aware of the influence officials can have on the result of crucial games.

It’s led to some planning to possibly employ a so-called ‘referee coach’ as the Springboks look to ensure that they have comprehensive profiles of the referees they will encounter at the World Cup.

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The successful candidate would also apparently work towards improving the relationship between the Springboks, Test referees and World Rugby after some well-publicised spats over the last couple of years.

Speaking to Sunday newspaper Rapport, Owens confirmed that he has been in conversation with director of rugby Erasmus over the role.

“Yes, I was approached by Rassie,” Owens said when asked about the rumours by Rapport. “I had a good conversation with him. Unfortunately, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

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The Springboks’ proposed appointment of Nigel Owens has been well-received

When writing in his latest column for Sport24, former Bok coach Nick Mallett said it could be a masterstroke.

“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.

“Even if they don’t land Owens and have to go with somebody else, the position in itself is another example of Erasmus’ incredible out-of-the-box thinking and his meticulous planning, and he deserves a lot of praise for that.

“Getting Owens on board really would be a win-win situation for the Boks, who have been on the wrong end of big refereeing decisions consistently for some time now,” Mallett added.

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