New Bok coach Jacques Nienaber says he will be looking to extend the culture of success created at national level over the last two years.

On Friday, Nienaber was confirmed as the head coach successor to director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

The appointment of Nienaber, 47, underlines a commitment to continuity with the vastly experienced understudy to Erasmus promoted to the headline role, although the director of rugby will still carry the responsibility for Springbok performances.

The coaching team will also include Deon Davids, Daan Human, Mzwandile Stick and Felix Jones.

‘This is a massive honour and responsibility, but I think I have a good understanding of what it entails, especially in this new structure,’ Nienaber said.

‘I’ve worked with Rassie in a coaching capacity for nearly two decades now and we have a very good idea of how each of us thinks and as I’ll still be reporting to him our working relationship won’t be changing.

‘It’s a big step-up for me in terms of carrying the day-to-day leadership role and there’ll be other adjustments but in many ways it will also be business as usual. We’ve built up a good culture over the past two years and we’ll simply be looking to extend that.’

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