‘No rush’ to name new Springbok coach – SA Rugby

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has moved to calm fears around the country of fans desperate for information.

The country’s rugby loving public was turned inside out like an English tackler trying to stop Cheslin Kolbe on the weekend. This comes as news of Jaques Nienaber’s Leinster appointment went viral.

ALSO READ: Every candidate for the Springbok job

But SA Rugby don’t believe it’s as bad as it seems.

No, they have been planning for changes long before the news.

“It’s no crisis because it’s not like we are now forced to hire somebody tomorrow. There is no rush,” said SA Rugby boss Alexander to Media24,

“We’ve got succession planning that has been in place for a long time. We must look at that succession plan and all the other things we need to do.

“Some coaches have come a long way with us and have walked the walk with us. People always criticise South African Rugby for not planning, but we are planning. We have systems in place, and we know where we’re going.

“The trouble is that everybody wants to know who [is next].”

ALSO READ: Springboks: Rassie Erasmus to follow Nienaber to Ireland?

RASSIE COULD OPEN UP TWO JOBS

And it’s ever so intriguing that Rassie Erasmus will have a big say in who replaces his long-time friend. And it’s for two reasons … there is talk that Erasmus might join Nienaber in Ireland as Leinster’s Director of Rugby which opens up two jobs.

“There is some speculation though that Rassie Erasmus could also be on his way to Leinster in a director of rugby role” read a line in a Daily Maverick story written by leading writer Craig Ray.

ALSO READ: Why Nienaber to Leinster is bad, bad news for SA’s URC teams

But if he does indeed stay, then part of his current role as Springbok Director of Rugby is to help find the new coach for SA Rugby.

That said, the current coaching landscape means there are precious few options. There is no standout foreign coach that is available which means it will be a South African again.

There is only one franchise coach realistically in the mix – John Dobson. The Stormers have two URC shields and a URC title to their credit. Plus the style of rugby and the ethos in the squad makes him a popular choice.

LIVE UPDATES: SPRINGBOKS’ ROAD TO THE RUGBY WORLD CUP

Dobson is then likely to go head to head with current coaches in the Springbok system – Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids. And even then Davids far behind Stick in terms of time spent within the setup.

Long story short, Stick must be the favourite with Dobson and Davids distant seconds. But is there anyone else in with a shout above those three, you’d think not.

2027 DEALS FOR SA RUGBY COACHING UNIT

Current assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids have both renewed their contracts until 2027.

Erasmus has a contract until 2025.

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