There you have it South Africa, the carpenter can now become the architect and vice versa.
In sporting terms, the physio can now become the head coach. True story.
The South Africa Rugby Union (Saru) confirmed as much when they named ex-physio and defence coach Jacques Nienaber as the head coach of the national team on Friday.
Obviously we all knew it was going to happen and if we’re all honest, Saru and its Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, couldn’t have selected a better clone to take over from the man himself.
I’m all for that.
Problem is, it’s clear that Erasmus will still pull the Bok strings, announcing that he will be responsible for strategy and results.
That, however, is the dagger through the heart of every single aspiring coach in South Africa, I would think.
Imagine being one of the franchise or even union coaches and seeing the biggest job in SA sport going to someone that hasn’t even coached a professional team as the main mentor yet - someone who was an assistant for most of his career.
It’s a bit of a klap in die gesig.
And therefore I believe the Bok coaching gig has lost some prestige with this appointment.
OWN MAN: Ex-boss Allister Coetzee. Picture: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix.
I cannot imagine the likes of Jake White, Heyneke Meyer, Peter de Villiers and Allister Coetzee being happy with this kind of role.
Post-Nienaber, I also think the next guy won’t feel like he is the big dog when he takes over.
The role has definitely been diminished and I don’t think we will ever see the upcoming era as Nienaber’s team, but instead it will still be Rassie’s boys.
Power to the Director - now clearly the job all coaches want in South Africa.
Anyway, as for the world champion Springboks, I don’t think there will be much change from what they did last year.
Yes, it is a “new era” under Nienaber, but it’s still Erasmus-run and therefore they will build on last year’s success.
DECENT APPOINTMENT: Deon Davids. Picture: Billy Stickland.
In that regard, Springbok fans couldn’t have asked for any better.
While I don’t disagree with the appointment of Nienaber, I am saddened by the death of the head coaching role.
As for the assistant coaches, I believe Deon Davids coming in is a decent appointment.
Yes, he hasn’t had much success as a head coach at the Kings, but at least he has some experience in this role and can assist Nienaber when Erasmus is unavailable.
I believe this appointment was done carefully and perhaps with one eye on the future, but then again Mzwandile Stick is also well-placed as a future Bok coach.
In terms of planning and giving themselves options for the future, I have to tip my hat to Erasmus and company.
As for the Springboks, I will be backing the team wholeheartedly - whether it’s Nienaber or Erasmus’s manne.