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Cape Town - Blue Bulls defence coach Pine Pienaar is mum about the possibility of joining the Springbok coaching staff on the team’s year-end tour to Europe next month.
Rapport reported at the weekend that the Boks are looking for a new defence coach to replace Chean Roux, who fulfilled the duty on a permanent basis this year.
Pienaar and the Lions’ JP Ferreira were identified as possible successors, with the Afrikaans newspaper reporting that the appointment would only be for the duration of the year-end tour.
But when probed on the matter, Pienaar told Netwerk24: “No, I know nothing about it.”
The Boks struggled on defence this year, with the team conceding 22 tries in six Rugby Championship matches, including nine in their final match against New Zealand in Durban.
SA Rugby is reportedly also keen to improve the national team’s attack, with backline experts Swys de Bruin (Lions) and Franco Smith (Cheetahs) seemingly in its sights.
SA Rugby is expected to announce the appointments after Saturday’s Currie Cup final between the Free State Cheetahs and Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.
On their year-end tour, the Springboks will face the Barbarians (London, November 5), England (London, November 12), Italy (Florence, November 19) and Wales (Cardiff, November 26).
