Former Springbok Sevens captain Jonathan Mokuena has been appointed as the new head coach of the University of Johannesburg for the next Varsity Cup season.

Mokuena officially began in his new post this week after being appointed on a seven-month-long contract.

During his seven-year career as a professional rugby player, Mokuena represented the Leopards, Cheetahs, Griquas and Lions. The former loose forward also played for a Royal XV against the British & Irish Lions when they toured South Africa in 2009.

He represented the national sevens team – the Blitzboks – in 22 tournaments and also captained the side.

Mokuena made his name as a coach in the Varsity Cup, coaching North-West University to what is still their only title in 2016. He has also coached North-West’s provincial team, the Leopards.

He takes the reins from another former professional player, Dewey Swartbooi, who was appointed as UJ head coach back in 2018.

UJ have struggled for consistent results in recent seasons, finishing second from bottom in 2019 and 2021, after making the semi-finals in 2018. UJ won just two of their nine matches in this year’s tournament.

The university, has, however, produced players such as former Springbok wing Aphiwe Dyantyi, and recent Blitzbok debutants Ronald Brown and Shaun Williams.

Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images