SA Rugby: Rassie will be instrumental in picking new Springbok coach

SA Rugby will be seeking advice from its director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus, when deciding on who to appoint as the next Springbok coach.

That's according to SA Rugby's acting CEO, Rian Oberholzer, who confirmed that Erasmus will take the lead as a result of successful succession planning that first saw Nienaber appointed from within the organization's structures.

Oberholzer was commenting following the announcement that Jacques Nienaber will be stepping down as the Springbok head coach after the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.

"We will be led by the director of rugby (Erasmus). Thanks to succession planning, Jacques was appointed from within [SA Rugby's] structures. We believe this is the correct way to go forward," Oberholzer told the Rapport newspaper.

While the final decision on the appointment will lie with SA Rugby's executive council, Oberholzer has made it clear that an overseas coach is not being considered, as it was "not part of the thought process" at this stage.

This puts current Bok assistant coaches, Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick, in a strong position for the job, although there is also the option of South African coaches currently working with the local URC teams, as well as those coaching abroad. Junior Springboks coach Bafana Nhleko is considered a possible wild-card pick.

Nienaber had previously served as Bok defence coach under Erasmus before being elevated to the head coach role, and there is a possibility that Erasmus himself could again step in as head coach. However, his future plans remain unclear despite being contracted to SA Rugby until 2025 with a clause allowing for an earlier departure.

Oberholzer has emphasized that there is no hurry to appoint a new Bok mentor, as the next coach will "not have to make a team talk in the changeroom for the next 15 months".