SA Rugby confirmed on Wednesday that assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, Daan Human and head of athletic performance Andy Edwards have all extended their contracts until the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The news comes not long after head coach Jacques Nienaber confirmed his departure from the team after this year’s World Cup to join Leinster as a senior coach.
Assistant coach Felix Jones is also leaving the world champions to take up a role in Steve Borthwick’s England set-up after the global showpiece in France.
Meanwhile, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is contracted until at least 2025.
Next head coach yet to be named
SA Rugby chief Rian Oberholzer was pleased to confirm the news and also revealed that the search for Nienaber’s successor is ongoing.
“We are delighted to announce that Mzwandile, Deon, Daan and Andy have signed contract extensions that will see them remain with the Springboks until the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” said Oberholzer.
“They all come a long way as a coaching team under the guidance of Rassie, as director of rugby, and I am confident that the continuity in our coaching staff will bode well for the Springboks for 2023 and the following seasons.
“It was our ambition to retain all the current coaching staff in recognition of the excellent work they have done over the past six years regardless of the outcomes of the Rugby World Cup later this year, and we are pleased that most of them have agreed to continue with the team.
“The planning to confirm a successor in the title role of Springbok coach remains ongoing in the background, while Rassie’s services are tied down to the end of 2025 at the very least.
“With their services secured, it is business as usual, and we would like to wish all the national coaches the best of luck as their preparations pick up for the forthcoming international season and the Rugby World Cup in France.”
Season starts against the Wallabies
The Springboks begin their Rugby Championship campaign with a clash against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies on July 8 before travelling to New Zealand a week later and then returning to Johannesburg for a final-round clash with Los Pumas.
The side will be without inspirational skipper Siya Kolisi who suffered a knee injury in his Sharks send-off that has thrown his World Cup into severe doubt.
Their title defence in France is preceded by warm-up games against Argentina, Wales before a blockbuster Test at Twickenham against the All Blacks.
At the global showpiece their campaign kicks off against Scotland (September 10), then clashes with Romania (September 17), Ireland (23 September) and finally Tonga (October 1).
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