Former Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber has shared the latest update on his future with Irish club Leinster.
The double Rugby World Cup-winning coach left South Africa following their 2023 triumph in France to take up a senior coaching position under Leo Cullen in Dublin.
There has been speculation that Nienaber could wind up back working with the Springboks in time for the bid to win a hat-trick of World Cup titles next year in Australia, as he has a six-month break clause in his contract in Ireland.
However, it has also been speculated that he could be in the running to replace Cullen as Leinster boss because the ex-Irish lock, who has been in charge since 2015, revealed some months ago that he will step down at the end of the 2026/27 season.
“We will have to wait and see…”
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi is the latest high-profile operator linked with the post, but Nienaber is also said to be a live contender.
Asked on the Bank of Ireland Roadshow Series with Off The Ball if there was a chance that 2026/27 would be his last season at Leinster, Nienaber jested: “You want me to go? You want me gone? I can use that six-month thing…
“No, it’s an ongoing process, like everybody would say. We will have to wait and see how things work out, and when everybody is aligned, all the stakeholders are happy and aligned, then they’ll probably announce whatever is going to happen going forward.”
It’s now nearly three years since Nienaber was the head coach who helped the Springboks to their three one-point, knockout stage victories at Rugby World Cup 2023, and he has kept in touch with their progress since then as a fan.
Quizzed about Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series before South Africa sealed their 3-1 victory with last Saturday’s success over the All Blacks in Baltimore, Nienaber said: “I’m watching the games, but like you do as a fan with a pint having a braai or sitting in one of the pubs.
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“If you ask me now tactically what are they doing, I wouldn’t know. I just enjoy the games… it’s good to see (number) one and two playing against each other and after two Tests, after 200 minutes of rugby, one Test each and 12-all at half-time. That’s how tight it is at the top. That’s enjoyable. I enjoy what’s happening there.”
Nienaber went on to pay tribute to the influence Cullen has wielded during his lengthy service at Leinster, from playing with them at under-age level all the way through to being in charge as head coach since 2015.
Asked what he most admired about Cullen, the South African said: “His absolute love for the club. He has spoken about how many years he’s been at the club, but the absolute sacrifice at all costs, having connections; the club will miss that. I can tell you straight; they’re going to miss that.
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“He is a guy that knows everything, that knows a Jerry Cahir; he knows about him. Why? Because he watches the clubs, he watched them play, and that will be missed, so whoever takes on that role going forward, that’s probably the connection (that is needed).
“Being head coach of Leinster and being fully aligned with what the A team is doing, being fully aligned with what the academy is doing because there’s such a big integration. Having that connection, that same alignment and care for the clubs, that’s probably why, in my opinion, Leinster is so successful.
“I’m not just saying it because he’s sitting next to me, but he [Cullen] is the Sir Alex Ferguson of rugby. Show me any other club in Europe that has got a coach that has been so invested in a club. There’s none!”