11 July 2022 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Stephen Collett
Jacques Nienaber and Prof Francis Petersen

Welcome home, coach. Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), met with the current Springbok coach and UFS alumnus, Jacques Nienaber, at the team’s hotel in Bloemfontein on Sunday (10 July 2022). 

Prof Petersen showed his support for the Springboks and Nienaber during the meet-and-greet. The Springboks were narrowly beaten by Wales (13-12) on Saturday. This was Nienaber’s first time back in Bloemfontein after taking over in 2020 as head coach of the Springboks from Rassie Erasmus, who is also an alumnus of the UFS. 

“Kovsies has been a leading institution in shaping and producing sports stars and administrators in various sporting codes, including rugby. We are proud of Jacques and wish him all the best with the important role as Springbok head coach,” says Prof Petersen.

Nienaber was born in Welkom and attended school at Grey College in Bloemfontein before studying at the UFS. He was previously also a physiotherapist for the Cheetahs rugby team.



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