Jacques Nienaber. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile/Gallo Images
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has called Springbok boss Jacques Nienaber “an outstanding man and great coach” following the announcement that Nienaber will join the Irish rugby club after this year’s World Cup.
The news was announced on Saturday afternoon around the same time Cullen’s Leinster took on the Lions in a URC match at Ellis Park.
Nienaber, who has been Bok boss since 2020, will replace Stuart Lancaster at Leinster after this year’s World Cup in France.
“I greatly admire what Jacques has been doing,” said Cullen on Saturday evening, after his side had fought back to beat the Lions 39-36.
“We’ve obviously been aware of Jacques since hiss time with Munster (2016 and 2017) and then coming back to the Springboks (in 2018) and winning a World Cup.
“I’ve followed his progress and he’s someone I’ve always admired. He’s a great coach and outstanding man as well.”
Cullen said Nienaber had “delivered at the highest level of the game” and would be a “fantastic appointment.”
“I respect what the Boks have achieved in the last few years, winning a World Cup and a Lions series and we are delighted and excited to secure him post this year’s World Cup. He will give our club a big lift.”
Nienaber said he was joining the Irish club for personal reasons.
“The last few years have been the highlight of my coaching career and it’s with a heavy heart that I’m finishing up my time with the Springboks and leaving the country for personal reasons,” said Nienaber in a statement.
“The decision is made and that’s firmly behind me now. My sole focus is on seeing the Springboks defend the Rugby World Cup title this year. I will continue to channel all my energy into ensuring that we leave no stone unturned to achieve that.”
Rian Oberholzer, SA Rugby CEO, said: “Jacques was very open with us about the reasons for wanting to leave South Africa at the end of the season.
“We will confirm a successor in the title role of Springbok coach in due course – that planning will go on in the background, but Rassie Erasmus’ services are locked in to the end of 2025 at the very least.”
The Springboks kick off the international season against Australia in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 July, in the opening round of the shortened Rugby Championship, which will be followed by clashes against New Zealand in Auckland a week later, and Argentina in Johannesburg on Saturday, 29 July – their final match on home soil for the year.
The Boks will then make the journey to Buenos Aires in August to take on the Pumas before facing Wales and the All Blacks in Rugby World Cup warm-up matches in Cardiff and London in the final build-up to the international showpiece in France.
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