Johann van Graan, the Bath head of rugby. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images
Victor Matfield came up with a surprising shortlist of names when asked on Tuesday who he would prefer to succeed Jacques Nienaber as head coach of the Springboks.
Former Springbok lock Matfield was part of a Vodacom United Rugby Championship round table discussion with the media on Tuesday afternoon.
When the conversation shifted to Nienaber’s move to Irish club Leinster after the World Cup, Matfield was asked who he sees as potential successors to take over as Bok head coach.
“I think there are three very strong candidates. Johan Ackermann was very successful with the Lions, Franco Smith has done well in a few places and then you have Johann van Graan, who coached Munster and was an assistant coach in many Springbok Tests.
“If I had to choose, it would be between Van Graan and Ackermann.”
Ackermann took the Lions to two Super Rugby finals before taking over at English club Gloucester and currently coaches in Japan.
Meanwhile, former Springbok assistant Van Graan is currently in charge at Bath, after a stint with Munster that saw him come in for some criticism over the team’s consistency and style of play.
When asked about Van Graan’s record at Munster specifically, Matfield said the former Bulls assistant coach would have good insight into the South African psyche.
“There is a specific style that works for South Africa. We’re never going to play like Leinster. If we do that, we won’t win a trophy.
“South African players’ thought processes are different. You have to create a different environment for them to be at their best.”
Matfield added that timing will be very important, no matter who the Springboks hire.
“In my days, when we dominated and the Bulls won the Super series, the same guys were successful with the Boks. Heyneke Meyer drove that system. The right time for him to get the Bok job would probably have been 2008,” he said.
“Unfortunately he didn’t, and four years later after being out for a while, it didn’t have the same impact. So timing is very important for a coach.”
This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission. For the original story click here.
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