‘I miss the Springboks’ – Jacques Nienaber addresses future beyond Leinster

Will Jacques Nienaber return to the Springboks fold, or is he happy in Ireland?

That has been the question since it was announced before the 2023 Rugby World Cup that he would be vacating his role with South Africa to join the Leinster coaching ticket.

The then-head coach was in his final year of his contract with SA Rugby and plotting the Boks’ defence of the William Webb Ellis Cup, having played an integral role in clinching the trophy four years prior.

Nienaber built arguably the best defensive system in the international game during his time with the Boks, earning him the ‘Minister of Defence’ nickname amongst fans, which was crucial in defending the World Cup title, with South Africa winning all of their knockout matches by a single point in 2023.

The defence guru initially joined Leinster’s coaching team until the end of the 2025/26 season, but has now re-signed for another year, which leaves the door ajar for a return to international rugby with the Springboks in the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

It’s no secret that Nienaber and current head coach Rassie Erasmus are good friends, having first met during their army service before going on to work together at the Cats and Cheetahs, during the latter’s playing career and the former’s time as a physio.

“You never know”

This has led to a notion, or conspiracy, that Erasmus would re-recruit his close mate ahead of the World Cup in Australia, with that theory nagging throughout Nienaber’s time in Ireland.

It has only been fuelled by the Leinster senior coach never ruling out a return to the Springboks fold, with his decision to return to Ireland being one made to afford him more time to spend with his family.

Speaking to SuperSport in the build-up to South Africa’s clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the question over his future was once again raised.

“I’ve extended my contract with Leinster for another year, so my contract is up until the end of the 2027 domestic season,” he replied.

“So, I’ll be out of contract at the start of the international season in the southern hemisphere. So, you never know how things will work out.

“You can try to plan life. When Rassie and I came over [to Ireland, joining Munster] in 2016, we planned to get a passport, and the kids were going to settle here – that was the idea.

“And then maybe if we’re relevant enough or good enough, we will return when we’re a little bit older. So we thought maybe for the 2023 or the 2027 World Cup, if we’re good enough and relevant enough, but then life happens.

“Anthony Foley passed away, and you realise that you’ve got all these plans and all these future plans, but all you actually have is the time you have now.

“So listen, I’m very grateful where I’m now.”

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Missing the Springboks

While he is content with life in Ireland, the lure of the Springboks provides the ‘but’.

“I miss the Springboks,” he continued.

“I really miss the group, and one never knows. From my side, I must make sure that I am still relevant enough and continue to evolve.

“As a coach, you must still be creative, find different ways, better ways of doing things and then life will take care of itself.”

In Nienaber’s absence, Erasmus hired the services of former Ireland hooker and Harlequins coach Jerry Flannery, who worked with the head coach and Nienaber during their time at Munster.

Flannery is contracted through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, along with fellow assistants Mzwandile Stick, Felix Jones, Deon Davids, Daan Human, Tony Brown, and roving coach Duane Vermeulen.

However, it is reported that negotiations to extend Erasmus’ contract have stalled as the head coach wants all of his assistants’ deals extended too. Whether that would have any influence on Nienaber’s potential return remains to be seen.

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