Jacques Nienaber breaks silence on Leinster future amid Leo Cullen succession search
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Future.
Jacques Nienaber has addressed his Leinster future as the province continues to plan for life after Leo Cullen.
Cullen will step down at the end of the 2026/27 campaign, with Nienaber among the names linked with succeeding him.
The former Springbok boss joined Leinster following South Africa’s 2023 Rugby World Cup triumph, but uncertainty also surrounds his own future, with a six-month break clause in his contract.
Asked during the Bank of Ireland Roadshow Series with Off The Ball whether this could be his final season at Leinster, Nienaber joked:
“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.”
Nienaber has previously been linked with a return to the Springbok setup, while Argentina boss and former Leinster star Felipe Contepomi is another name reportedly in the frame to replace Cullen.
Nienaber also outlined what he believes Leinster will lose when Cullen departs, highlighting his connection with every level of the province.
“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,” he said.
“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!”
Leinster begin their new URC campaign against the Lions in Johannesburg next week.
