Family man Jacques Nienaber to bow out on rugby world’s biggest stage

Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber is set to bow out of South African rugby on the rugby world’s biggest stage when his side fronts up against the All Blacks in the World Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

It is truly the end of an era as Nienaber will be splitting from SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, with the two having been a coaching double act for close to two decades.

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They have already scaled the greatest heights, thanks to their World Cup title back in 2019, but what better way to sign off than with a second consecutive title this weekend against their greatest foes the All Blacks.

With Erasmus staying on with the Boks following the World Cup, Nienaber will be moving onto Irish giants Leinster where he will take up the head coaching reins.

First meeting

Nienaber and Erasmus first met during military service in the early 1990s just before the end of Apartheid, with Erasmus going on to have a successful playing career at franchise level, mainly for Free State, and at international level for the Boks.

This while Nienaber became a physio for Free State which essentially kick started their partnership because as soon as Erasmus retired from playing and moved into coaching he brought Nienaber in as his defence mentor.

Starting off coaching Free State the duo moved onto the Stormers and Munster, with Nienaber squeezing in a stint as Bok defence coach at the 2011 World Cup, before they both arrived at the Boks in 2018.

Since then they have guided the Boks to major titles, such as the Rugby Championship and World Cup in 2019, the British and Irish Lions series in 2021 and they now will be keen to finish things off with a second consecutive Webb Ellis Cup.

Speaking about Nienaber and how they approached the decision he made to end their working relationship Erasmus said:

Passion and knowledge

“His passion, knowledge and work ethic around defence was evident even back then. He’s very good with people and in terms of communicating what he wants.

“We have come a long way (together). When Jacques made the decision we had a braai and a good chat about it. We (decided) we want to end this working relationship, obviously in future we might tie up again.

“But for South Africa (and the team) we got it out of the way quickly. Jacques did his contract, we got it out there. The players knew about it, South Africa knew about it and we had some good chats around it.”

After this past weekend’s semifinal win over England, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi admitted that he will be very sad to see Nienaber go, having worked with him for many years, as well as the family orientated culture that he has brought to the Bok setup.

“I was 18 years old. I was contracted with the Cheetahs and then I was able to go to Western Province. That is when I met Jacques. He and coach Rassie used to come to the institute, the Western Province academy. That is where our foundation as a group (began), said Kolisi. 

‘He got to know me and my family’

“One thing I love about him is he goes far deeper than what is happening on the field. He got to know me, my family and why I do what I do. He speaks to us with human courtesy.

“He knows my kids by name, asks me how I am doing as a person and that is why I can go and give him everything on the field because he cares about the person, he cares about Siya from the township. For the teams, especially in big moments, he talks about each and every player’s journey.”

Kolisi continued: “It is so special to be known as a person not just as an object or a rugby player. That’s what he brings to this team. And the fact that he allows families to be around, how much he loves to see our kids running around.

“I know some teams are not allowed to have families, but that is what he creates, that family environment. I have enjoyed every single year that I’ve worked with him. The tough times too, when he comes and calls me out. He is always honest. I can’t explain how much I have enjoyed it. 

“Wherever he goes, they are going to be lucky… He’s a special coach and a special human being, an amazing father and a great husband. I will always be thankful.”