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31 January 2020 | Story Ruan Bruwer | Photo Gallo Images
Three Kovsies in Springbok coaching team
Rassie Erasmus (left), director of rugby at the South African Rugby Union, congratulates Jacques Nienaber on being the new Springbok head coach, the position Erasmus previously filled. Both are former students of the University of the Free State.

The appointment of Jacques Nienaber as the new Springbok head coach means that a former Kovsie will once again coach the Springbok team. Nienaber takes over from Rassie Erasmus, another Kovsie alumnus.

It was also announced that Daan Human, like Erasmus a former Shimla player who went on to play for the Springboks, will be the scrum consultant. Erasmus will continue in the role of director of rugby and will be part of the Springbok coaching team, which means that half of the six coaches in the team can call themselves Kovsies. 

Nienaber joined Erasmus in the Springbok coaching team in February 2018 as defensive coach. At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks conceded the fewest tries (four) of all the teams. Erasmus will be responsible for the strategy and results, with Nienaber taking operational control. 

It will be the first time Nienaber steps into a head-coach role. He started as physiotherapist with the Shimlas U20 team, before going into strength and conditioning and later becoming a defence coach.“This is a massive honour and responsibility, but I think I have a good understanding of what it entails, especially in this new structure. It’s a big step-up for me. I would not have accepted if I didn’t believe I could be successful,” said the 47-year-old Nienaber.

“I’ve been 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.” The two first worked together in the Shimlas U20 team, where Erasmus was the captain and Nienaber the physio.

Besides Nienaber, two other former Shimlas are currently in a head-coach role – Neil Powell at the Springbok Sevens team and Franco Smith is coaching the Italian national team.


News Archive

SRC Consultation desk
2015-04-20

In an era where woman are consistently escalating up the echelons of power, this universal phenomenon is also making waves on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State. As different citizens would recognise First lady Michelle Obama, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and United Nations Ambassador Angelina Jolie, so it is also with Student Representative Council Secretary General, Dineo Motaung. She is among a handful of ladies within the student leadership who cherish her responsibilities diligently for the interests of human beings.

The SRC Consultation Desk is an official space created by the office of the Secretary General, aimed at being of service to students alongside the students’ academic pursuit. Inspired by Ubuntu, meaning ‘I am what I am because of who we are’ comes the task of cultivating and nurturing the essence of who we are, through constructive and honest dialogue between students and the university staff. It is by talking to one another that we will establish an environment that permeates our uniqueness and pollinates our consciousness with awareness that would cause us to act in unison in propagating the vision of the university.

Toward this end, the Secretary General has commissioned two SRC members to various stations every Monday and Wednesday, to interact with both students and staff. Please find the schedule reflected below. It is hoped that through this engagement, problems will not simply be identified, but that practical and feasible solutions will be offered.

“Through the SRC Consultation Desk I hope to see the manifestation and spirit of Ubuntu on campus by the time my term ends. With all that said, I am available for any concerns,” said Motaung.

Monday 20 April 2015, 12:00-13:00

SRC Accessibility and Student Support: Louzanne Coetzee

Station: Thakaneng Bridge

Wednesday 23 April 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Media, Marketing & Laison: Lethabo Maebana

Station: New Computer Labs (Entrance door)

Wednesday 29 April 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Student Development and Environmental Affairs: Victor Ngubeni

Station: Sasol Library (Opposite Deli)

Monday 4 May 2015, 14:00-15:00

SRC Secretary General Dineo Motaung

Station: Amphitheatre             

Wednesday 6 May 2015

SRC Student Media: Masingi Sam

Station: Sasol Library (close to Deli)

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