Lions defence coach on his way to Munster

The Lions have announced that their defence coach JP Ferreira will leave the Johannesburg-based franchise in January to join Munster.

Ferreira has been an integral part of the Lions’ backroom staff and helped them reach successive Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017.

He will join fellow South African Johann van Graan at Munster from 1 January.

The duo previously worked together on the Springboks’ 2016 end-of-year tour to Europe when Van Graan was the Boks’ assistant coach and Ferreira the man in charge of the defence.

He admitted that it was not an easy decision to leave the Lions.

“It is really hard to say goodbye to this amazing Lions family,” said Ferreira.

“I have been fortunate and blessed to have been with the Lions for ten years and have been part of ten Currie Cup and Super Rugby Competitions. There have been extreme highs and lows in these ten years of service, but nothing that I would ever regret.

“It has been an amazing time.

“I feel that it is now time for me to improve, grow and experience a new culture, team, environment and competitions. I want to thank every single coach, player and support staff that invested in my life at the Lions Rugby Company in these ten years.

“I cannot thank you enough. I’m really excited and am looking forward to this next challenge and chapter in my and my family’s lives.”

Lions CEO Rudolf Straueli wished Ferreira well in his future endeavours.

“JP has been part of the Lions Rugby revival and I would like to thank him for his hard work and passion,”  he said.