SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has confirmed that the new Springbok coach will hopefully be appointed by the end of 2019.

World Cup-winning Bok coach Rassie Erasmus has stepped down from the head coaching role to focus on his responsibilities as SA Rugby director of rugby. Defence guru Jacques Nienaber and ex-Kings boss Deon Davids are believed to be the frontrunners in the race to succeed Erasmus.

Speaking at the South African-leg of the 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby launch, Alexander said the appointment of the new head coach will be made within the next month.

‘We want the new coach in place by the end of year. We of course want there to be continuity in the job. We want to start 2020 with the new coach in place.’

Alexander also revealed that Erasmus will play a key role in the identification and selection process of his successor.

‘We’re just waiting for the coach’s report and then Rassie Erasmus [the former coach and full-time Director of Rugby] will come to us with a proposal, which we’ll take to the executive and then take to the general council for approval,’ Alexander explained.

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