SA Rugby has rejigged coaching roles in the Rugby Department – in Sevens
and Junior Rugby – the governing body confirmed yesterday.
Two staff members have been promoted to new roles after serving in
assistant capacities, with Bafana Nhleko moving into the head coach position of
the Junior Springboks, while former Blitzboks player Sandile Ngcobo, is now the
new head coach of the SA Rugby Sevens Academy.
“We’re committed to ensuring there is a development pipeline for our
coaches and with Bafana and Sandile, we’ve accomplished that as both have been
in our systems for some time,” South Africa’s Director of Rugby, Rassie
Erasmus, said.
“Bafana first joined the Junior Springbok coaching structures as an
assistant coach in 2018 and he will now take over the reins from Chean Roux,
who will remain involved with our Under-20 Academy.
“Sandile, who played for the Blitzboks when they won back-to-back HSBC
World Rugby Sevens Series titles in 2017 and 2018, has been assisting Marius
Schoeman since he hung up his boots and with Marius now basically overseeing
our sevens programme, it made sense to promote Sandile into the role of head
coach,” Erasmus explained.
Nhleko was excited about the prospects of taking over as Junior
Springbok head coach, even though the World Rugby U20 Championships have been
cancelled for 2021.
“Yes, it’s disappointing that we won’t have a World Champs this year,
but age-group rugby is a different beast and I’m very excited to get involved
as soon as possible,” he said.
“I really enjoy the challenges and pleasures of working with the
youngsters, especially in South Africa where we have a rich heritage of
wonderful junior players.”
Honing his coaching skills in the familiar environment of the sevens
programme is paramount for Ngcobo.
“I see this as a great opportunity to grow as a coach, to keep on
working with experienced people such as Neil Powell, Renfred Dazel and Marius
and to help ensure that our pipeline of untapped talent providing players for the
Blitzboks, runs smoothly,” Ngcobo said.
Issued by SA Rugby Communications
