Springboks: Who could replace Jacques Nienaber after the Rugby World Cup?

Jared Wright
sa rugby head coach springboks jacques nienaber rugby world cup

SA Rugby announced on Saturday that head coach Jacques Nienaber will leave the Springboks to join Leinster after the Rugby World Cup.

The news shocked many, as it was expected that Nienaber would retain the role after the tournament in France.

Nevertheless, Planet Rugby looks ahead and highlights the potential replacements for the renowned head coach.

Rassie Erasmus

We start with the obvious one; a return of the former head coach to the role is certainly an option and a safe one. Erasmus could dovetail his director of rugby responsibilities with the head coach role as he did between 2018 and 2019.

Erasmus’ current contract expires in 2025, and SA Rugby is likely to try and extend his stay. This could buy some time for him to find a permanent replacement for the head coach role before the next World Cup in 2027 or even mentor a replacement from the current coaching team.

Mzwandile Stick

One coach the Springboks have been mentoring to become head coach, Stick joined the Test set-up under former head coach Allister Coetzee.

He is highly regarded in the current coaching team and took charge of South Africa ‘A’ in November.

Stick will make the step up to a head coach role at some stage, whether that’s with the Springboks or not.

If Erasmus did take over in the interim, Stick could learn the trade before taking the role in 2025 or 2028.

John Dobson

Dobson delivered the Stormers‘ maiden title in 2022 and will be one of the leading candidates to replace Nienaber.

He is contracted to the Stormers until 2027, and while they will not be keen to lose their head coach, the cash-strapped union might not have a choice.

The beloved coach would be a popular pick amongst the public and is a fascinating character.

He will undoubtedly be linked with the role until Nienaber’s successor is announced.

Johan Ackermann

There were calls for Ackermann to take the reins during Coetzee’s testing results with the Springboks before Erasmus took over.

He led the Johannesburg side to Super Rugby promotion and two finals during his five-year tenure.

He went on to spend two and half seasons at Gloucester with mixed success and is currently coaching in Japan.

His move to Japan has probably hurt his chances of taking on the role now, but he could return to South Africa with a point to prove.

Deon Davids

Another member of the current coaching staff and one who has been tipped to take on the role in the future.

Davids impressed with the Southern Kings in Super Rugby and joined the Springboks coaching staff after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

He is currently the side’s forwards coach. He is certainly an option for the Springboks but would not be viewed as one of the leading candidates.

Johann van Graan

A man who knows the Springboks systems well, Van Graan was an assistant coach under former coaches, Heyneke Meyer and Coetzee.

When Erasmus took charge of the Springboks in 2018, he recommended Van Graan as his replacement at Munster.

Like Ackermann, Van Graan had mixed success abroad, and while things haven’t gone swimmingly in his first season at Bath, he was brought in to do a complete rebuild at the side.

It’s clear that Erasmus holds him in high regard and could be one of the candidates he speaks to for the role.

Bafana Nhleko

A real bolter for the role, Nhleko is just making his way up the ranks but impressed during his stint as the Junior Springboks’ head coach.

His success with the side earned him a position in the South Africa ‘A’ coaching team last year.

It would be a surprising move from SA Rugby to appoint the young up-and-comer, but Nienaber’s departure also came as a shock.

Outside bets

South Africa has not had a foreign head coach before, and while the likes of Joe Schmidt, Dave Rennie and others will be available next year, we doubt any would get a look in for the role.

Glasgow Warriors and former Italy head coach Franco Smith worked with the Springboks before Erasmus took over. He could make a return, but it is unlikely.

Former Lions coach Swys de Bruin is unlikely to return to a professional set-up, while outside of the Stormers, the current head coaches of the United Rugby Championship sides don’t seem to fit the mould.

Neil Powell was incredibly successful with the South African sevens side but is still proving himself in the XVs game with the Sharks. Ivan van Rooyen is not expected to be in the mix either, while Jake White is comfortable at the Bulls and is unlikely to want to take the job on again.

READ MORE: Jacques Nienaber to vacate head coach role to join Leinster after the Rugby World Cup

Features Rassie Erasmus

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