VIDEO: Rassie and Jacques reunion on the cards?
DUBLIN, IRELAND: A lunch date this week between former Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and current head coach Rassie Erasmus was soon followed up by both of them saying a reunion might be on the cards.
The two have remained close friends after Nienaber joined Leinster in 2023, and this week, both of them expressed their willingness to work together again in separate interviews a day apart.
Nienaber extended his contract with the Irish province until the end of the 2026/2027 season, which could see him back in the Bok setup ahead of the World Cup. It’s a date Erasmus specifically mentioned in the team announcement press conference on Thursday.
In an interview with Supersport this week, the defence guru said he missed the Springboks and left some open-ended answers, indicating that he has thought about returning to South Africa and had possibly had this conversation with Erasmus as well.
“I extended for a year with the club, so my contract ends at the end of the 2027 domestic season, so I’ll be out of contract at the start of the international season just after that,” Nienaber said ahead of this Saturday’s meeting between Ireland and South Africa.
“I’m grateful where I am, would I like to… I miss the Springboks, I really miss the group, and one never knows.”
On Thursday, Erasmus was asked if he could see a world where Nienaber gets back into the Bok coaching ticket for the World Cup in Australia.
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“Definitely. I had lunch with him [on Wednesday], we always see each other whenever there’s an opportunity, when he comes to South Africa or we fly over here.”
“We would never want to ruin his relationship and reputation here in Ireland, but if Jacques tells me, or Ireland allows him to consult in 2027, and we have the money to afford him in that year [then there is a green light].
“There are no egos in our management coaching team. With a rugby brain like his, we will have a look at that,” Erasmus said, after naming his team to face Ireland on Saturday.
The Springbok coach said South Africa might not be the only team lining up for Nienaber’s services.
“A brain like his, I think the Irish might also use him, or the English might use him if he’s got that.
“I don’t know what his contracts say exactly, but yes, we will have a look at that.”
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