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A SAFE PAIR
OF HANDS
NewSpringbokheadcoachJacquesNienaberhas big boots
tofillbutexpertssayhe’llcontinuethesuccessthe squad
enjoyedunderRassieErasmus.Here’swhy BY MARELIZE GBRICH
OLITICALLY charged, It’s been a long time since there’s been Boks conceded only four tries during the
results-driven, brutal – suchcontinuitywiththeappointmentof entire 2019 Rugby World Cup. But this is
that’s the name of the a new Bok coach, experts say. Erasmus his first stint as head coach.
game when it comes to is now full-time director of rugby, while “I’d never have accepted the position if
takingonthejobofSpring- Nienaber becomes head coach. I didn’t believe I could make a success of
bok coach. Just ask any of “This[stability]iswhattheSpringboks it,” Nienaber says of his new challenge.
Rassie Erasmus’ long line need now more than anything,” says Nervous Bok fans needn’t worry be-
Pof predecessors. Brendan Venter, former Bok player- cause Erasmus – who was named World
But the latest man in the hot seat has turned-coach. Rugby’s coach of the year in 2019 – will
a few serious advantages. Not only is “Is everything counting in Jacques’ still be involved.
JacquesNienaberinheritingaworldcup- favour? No – he’s never coached a team “I’ll be with the team most of the time
winning squad, he’s also worked with like this. But he’s been working with Ras- and during matches I’ll join Jacques in
this team as defence coach since 2018 sie for years. Although Rassie won’t be the coaching box,” he says. “I’ll still be re-
and knows the Springbok setup inside dealing with the day-to-day things, he’s sponsible for the strategy and the results,
out. not going anywhere. while Jacques will take over operational
Plus Erasmus, who coached the team “Jacques and Rassie are like an old control.”
toworldcupglory,isfirmlyinhiscorner married couple. Each knows what the
–thetwomen(both47)havebeenclose other is thinking. They have an equally NLIKE Erasmus, Nienaber
friends for years. good understanding of rugby – they was never a professional rug-
Bald,bespectacledNienaberwasoften know why you win a game and why you by player. He was born in
spottedonthesidelines,conveyingmes- lose.” Kimberley in the Northern
sages to the team from Erasmus in the Nienaber, a former physiotherapist, Cape and is the only child of
Gerr
coaching box. But now that chair be- was in high demand worldwide as a de- Uie, a salesman for a steel
longs to him. fence coach. Under his guidance, the producer, and Elize, a bookkeeper.
22 | 6 FEBRUARY 2020 you.co.za
