Venter and Smith to join Bok staff

Editor

Brendan Venter and Franco Smith will join the Springbok coaching staff according to reports coming out of South Africa.

After a dismal year for the Springboks in 2016, SARU has been desperate to change the make up of the South African coaching staff and according to South African newspaper the Rapport, Smith and Venter will join the team ahead of the team’s first training camp next week.

Cheetahs boss Smith will become South Africa’s backline coach in place of Mzwandile Stick who will join the Springbok under-20 side as an assistant coach while former Saracens coach Venter will take on the role of defensive coach.

Venter was originally signed to serve as Italy’s defensive coach but has apparently been coaxed out of the contract by SARU. Venter was in Italy’s coaching team when South Africa suffered a shock defeat to the Azzurri last year.