Haardly anyone seems to have noticed that the Springboks will soon have a new coach.

Mark Alexander, the president of SA Rugby, says that his identity will be known before year-end, a slightly unusual state of affairs, although in keeping with the smooth waters that abound.

It used to be that the appointment of the next Springbok coach would vex South Africans, concerned that their team be in the most capable hands, but the calming presence of Rassie Erasmus has soothed such worries. Fans barely mention it.

Officially, Erasmus will be going upstairs to oversee all sectors of the SA game, but anyone who knows Erasmus will know that he won’t ever be far from the Springboks, either philosophically or practically. It almost won’t matter who gets the big job given that the main direction will still come from the World Cup-winning coach.

By all accounts Jacques Nienaber, the defence coach, has been hand-picked by Erasmus to take control. This has merit, ensuring continuity and the certainty that comes with the knowledge that he and Erasmus are tight and offer a powerful alchemy.

Yet Nienaber has always been a number two and never been at the coal face. It’s all very well being a lieutenant to Erasmus, but he’ll also be empowered to make the big calls.

Can he do so in the heat of a major game?

Surprisingly, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has barely entered the conversation. Erasmus spoke of implementing a succession plan when he came in as head coach, so it would be surprising if Stick wasn’t somehow part of that mix. He, too, hasn’t fronted up in a big job, but he had smarts as a Sevens player and there has been quiet acknowledgement of his excellent work with the Springbok backs.

Perhaps several more years’ work with the Boks will allow his talents to flourish and he can have a big run at the job later on. He is young and patient and he has time.

With three of the four local Super Rugby coaches brand new to the job, SA’s coaching stocks are shallower than they ought to be. Should Super Rugby success follow, though, it would broaden the options at national level in the years to come.

An ever-present name in discussions is Johan Ackermann, who may be out of sight in Gloucester but isn’t out of mind. The former lock had significant success with the Lions, showing an encouraging ability to build a squad, and he has turned Gloucester into a gritty side that finished third in the Premiership last season. Ackermann has paid his coaching dues and although he doesn’t publicly covet the Bok job, he never shuts down the conversation entirely. He’s happy to play the waiting game and knows his time will surely come.

Whatever happens, momentum must not be lost. The gains made by Erasmus and his crew in 2019 were massive and it would be hugely damaging if these were neglected. Captain Siya Kolisi wants the Springbok team to get better still and to establish a culture of winning consistently. This is a formidable goal, and a necessary one, if Erasmus and his champions are to establish a grand legacy of excellence.

Whoever is named coach must unequivocally share this ambition. – © Sunday Tribune