These Jacques Nienaber comments will not go down well with Leinster fans
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Back home.
Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber has revealed that he misses the Springboks, sparking speculation about a return to South Africa.
Nienaber joined Leinster after helping lead them to a second straight Rugby World Cup in 2023, before playing a key role in Leinster winning their first trophy in almost a decade last season.
He recently signed a new contract at the province until the end of 2027, but has revealed he may then return to South Africa ahead of the World Cup in Australia.
“I’ve extended my contract with Leinster for another year, so my contract is up until the end of the 2027 domestic season,” Nienaber told SuperSport
“So, I’ll be out of contract at the start of the international season in the southern hemisphere. So, you never know how things will work out.
“You can try to plan life. When Rassie and I came over in 2016, we planned to get a passport, and the kids were going to settle here – that was the idea.
“And then maybe if we’re relevant enough or good enough, we will return when we’re a little bit older. So we thought maybe for the 2023 or the 2027 World Cup, if we’re good enough and relevant enough, but then life happens.
“Anthony Foley passed away, and you realise that you’ve got all these plans and all these future plans, but all you actually have is the time you have now.
“So listen, I’m very grateful where I’m now.”
Rassie Erasmus was also asked about Nienaber’s future this week, and he left the door up for a return.
“We would never want to ruin his relationship and reputation here in Ireland, but if Jacques tells me, or Ireland allow him to consult in the year of 2027, and we have the money to afford him in that year, there’s no egos in our management coaching team,” Erasmus said.
“But I think the Irish might also use him, or the English might use him if he’s got that. I don’t know what his contracts say exactly, but yes, we will have a look at that.”
