1
'Shake in fear Europe' - Reaction to Nienaber to Leinster
In a bolt from the blue, South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has confirmed that he will leave his Springboks role after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France in order to join Leinster.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nienaber, who has been in charge of the Springboks since January 2020, will replace Stuart Lancaster as senior coach at Leinster, with the Englishman set to move to French side Racing 92 at the end of the season.
It’s a move that has been kept remarkably quiet by both SA Rugby and Leinster, with no prior rumours linking the two.
“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, who was assistant coach under Rassie Erasmus when South Africa won the 2019 World Cup.
“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.”
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said on the club’s website: “We are delighted to confirm that Jacques Nienaber will be joining Leinster Rugby next season.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Jacques is a world-class coach with a winning track record at the very highest level of the game, and we are all looking forward to learning from him over the coming seasons.”
The shock news has understandably caused a stir on social media.
Former Ireland and Leinster hooker turned pundit Bernard Jackman said: “Massive statement of intent by Leinster bring in Jacques Nienabar post World Cup. New CEO has hit the ground running.”
Massive statement of intent by Leinster bring in Jacques Nienabar post World Cup. New CEO has hit the ground running.
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) April 15, 2023
One Tweeter wrote: “Demographics, Budget, Talent. Able to attract first class coaches… Shake in fear Europe, Shake in fear!”
Jared Wright wrote: “The hate for Nienaber will be rife today, but he was just as important as Rassie in 2019. He is a MASSIVE blow to SA Rugby, without a doubt. He has done a superb job, IMO, especially considering he lost an entire Test season with the Boks. Leinster are big winners here.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The hate for Nienaber will be rife today, but he was just as important as Rassie in 2019.
He is a MASSIVE blow to SA Rugby, without a doubt.
He has done a superb job, IMO, especially considering he lost an entire Test season with the Boks.
Leinster are big winners here.
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 15, 2023
EK Rugby Analysis wrote: “Goes without saying, but will be fantastic for the Irish system to have a coach of Nienaber’s quality involved again too. Few better coaching minds in rugby when it comes to defence especially.”
South African tweeter Dylan Jack observed: “It’s kind refreshing that Jacques Nienaber basically bows out on his own terms after the World Cup. Probably the first Springbok head coach to do that going into the tournament.”
Not everyone was positive however, one disgruntled fan writing: “Take him. Never rated him as a coach anyway. As a Bok fan I don’t get this decision by Leinster though. They play such beautiful free flowing rugby and Nienaber’s game is completely the opposite of that.”
Another wrote: “Man is overrated. But as a spare, which is what he is going there as, the man is incredible. Just look at the Boks’ defense stats in 2019 and you’ll see what he’s capable of.”
additional reporting AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
The author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
141 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
141 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
141 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
141 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
141 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
141 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
141 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
141 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
141 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
141 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
141 Go to commentsHo hum.
141 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
141 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
1 Go to commentsLet’s be honest. The draw and scheduling in the World Cup was a joke but South Africa found a way after having to go the hard (nearly impossible) way to the Cup Final via France and England. NZ had a hard game against France (lost) and had 5 weeks to prepare for the Quarter, 3 weeks knowing it was Ireland. NZ theerfore had to win one big game against an Irish team who played SA and then Scotland 7 days before. They won and it was de facto a semi final because they were playing a relatively weak Argentina team and it was a walk over. In the final a very rested NZ team was playing a very tired SA team and still lost. They couldn’t score more than 11 points. Put another way SA had to find a way to win while tired and they achieved that. NZ should thank their lucky stars that they fixed the scheduling in 2015 otherwise they would be dealing with a Bok treble.
141 Go to commentsPerhaps if Bongi wasn’t targeted and removed from the game in the first 3 minutes it would have been quite a different game. Maybe if NZ also faced the same competition the Boks faced to their win NZ would have looked quite different. The final score shows who outplayed who.
141 Go to commentsRubbish article! Abuladze played most of Exeters matches when fit. He got injured against Glasgow a while ago and is out for the rest of the season, thats why he hasnt played for Exeter and Georgia recently. Do some proper research next time!
1 Go to commentsGotta love it when kids throw their toys out the pram and can’t hack it with the grown ups debate. Here’s looking at you turlough! 😉🤣
148 Go to commentsThey lost the game period move on
141 Go to comments