Jacques Nienaber is the new head coach of the South African men's rugby team. He replaces Rassie Erasmus who stepped down after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The appointment was announced on Friday by the South African Rugby Union which, according to Erasmus, underlines a commitment to the team's continuity. No details about the duration of his contract were given.

The 47-year-old was part of the coaching staff during Erasmus’spell, where he served as the team's defensive coach. He will be assisted by Mzwandile Stick who was reappointed to the role.

Nienaber has worked with Erasmus at two South African rugby teams, the Free State Cheetahs and the Stormers, and Irish Pro14 side Munster.

Nienaber will lead a coaching panel that will directly report to Erasmus, who now fully assumes the role of director of rugby.

Nienaber said his working relationship with Erasmus will not change given that he has worked with him in a coaching capacity for close to two decades.

“It's a big step-up for me in terms of carrying the day-to-day leadership role and there'll be other adjustments but in many ways, it will also be business as usual. We’ve built up a good culture over the past two years and we'll simply be looking to extend that.”

Erasmus expressed full confidence in Nienaber, who is charged with leading a team that completed a Rugby Championship and World Cup double in 2019.

“Jacques is highly experienced and has worked with the Springboks on three separate occasions now so knows exactly what the job is about.”

However, Erasmus said that he will still shoulder responsibility for the Springboks’ performances while Nienaber will be responsible for the test match preparation and day-to-day team operations.

“…I will be with the team for the majority of the time and in the coaches’ box with Jacques at matches. I'll still be responsible for the strategy and results with Jacques taking operational control. The structure allows the director of rugby to spend more time on other aspects of the role,” Erasmus said.

South Africa is scheduled to play its first match of the year against Scotland on July 4 at a venue to be confirmed.

(Source: SA Rugby)