Jacques Nienaber is poised to create history by taking over the reins of the world champions South Africa despite never playing in the top flight nor having any prior experience as a head coach.

All experience that he has as a coach, is working alongside departing Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus in South Africa and Ireland.

He was the defence coach of the Springboks when they defeated England in the final to win a record-equalling World Cup in November.

The 47-year-old, he was a loose forward for the fourth team at his Bloemfontein school and, after switching to inside centre, the third side at university.

Erasmus had announced to relinquished the post soon after winning the World Cup to focus on his role of South Africa Rugby’s director which will give him control on all national male and female teams.

Erasmus hastily assumed the head coach post in 2018 to speed up the revival of a South African team reduced to a laughing stock after a string of humiliating losses. He has made no secret of his admiration for Nienaber, a former physiotherapist and conditioning coach, who has worked with Erasmus for almost two decades.

“I began coaching almost immediately after retiring and immediately brought Jacques on board as the conditioning coach ,” former Springbok loose forward Erasmus told AFP.

“His passion, knowledge and work ethic around defence were evident from the start. Jacques deals brilliantly with people, getting messages across clearly. He is a wonderful person and, if chosen, would be a great replacement. From physiotherapist to Springboks head coach -- what a story.”

The respect is mutual with Nienaber describing as “great’ a relationship that has taken them to the Free State Cheetahs, Western Stormers, Munster and the Springboks.

“Our partnership does not end when we leave the rugby field -- sometimes we have a meal and a drink together,” he told AFP.

Agence France-Presse