Former Blitzboks coach Paul Treu has been appointed as Chester Williams’ official successor as the new head coach at the University of the Western Cape.

Treu takes the role from Lionel Langenhoven, who was appointed as head coach on an interim basis for the 2020 season following Williams’ death in 2019. Langenhoven will continue as an assistant coach.

The 49-year-old has been serving as a high-performance consultant with Japan’s sevens team over the last year after a stint with the Stormers and Western Province as as an assistant coach and Performance and Innovation manager.

Treu has a deep connection with UWC, having graduated from the university with a diploma in higher education in 1993 and representing them on the rugby field.

‘I regard myself as a dynamic, cutting edge leader with extensive experience in professional sport,’ Treu said. ‘I am exploring opportunities to team up with a high-performance organisation that relies on innovation and critical thinking, which in turn, prioritises best practice methods to achieve their goal.

‘I believe that the next generation in rugby will require even more innovative approaches to performance than ever before. As technology has become more pervasive and information more freely accessible, it is the ability to process, filter and commit to what is important in the ‘big data’ landscape that will set organisations apart. This is as true in sport as it is of any other industry.

‘In this regard, the network alluded to previously, which I have access to through my international work and experiences and studies, as well as an ability to manage and interpret the details whilst retaining a clear vision of the ‘big picture’, are key competitive advantages that I believe I bring to this role.’

UWC director of sport Mandla Gagayi said Treu’s commitment to betterment through education makes him the perfect fit for the university.

‘Paul’s appointment reinforces our strategy towards promotion of balance between academic and sport,’ Gagayi said. ‘It also reaffirms our commitment to the transformation of rugby as a sport where black coaches are usually overlooked or under-utilised.’

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