Matthew Proudfoot named as South Africa assistant coach

Former Scotland prop Matthew Proudfoot has joined the Springboks' coaching staff.

The 44-year-old, who will continue his long collaboration with new South Africa coach Allister Coetzee, has signed a four-year contract to be an additional assistant, starting immediately.  

Proudfoot was Coetzee's assistant during his tenure at the Stormers and Western Province, as well as the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan.

The former Bulls forward will join Mzwandile Stick and Johann van Graan as an assistant coach to Coetzee, with Ian Schwartz continuing as team manager.

Coetzee, who replaced Heyneke Meyer last month, has welcomed Proudfoot to his management staff.

He said: "I know Matt very well from our coaching stints together in Cape Town and Japan and have a lot of respect for his ability to build a powerful pack and his rugby philosophy.

"I am confident that he will add a lot of value to our management staff and the coaches are looking forward to working with him."

Proudfoot's responsibility will be scrummaging, the breakdown and all aspects related to contact areas, while assistant Johan van Graan will be in charge of the attack and lineout play. Pieter de Villiers will continue to be available as scrum consultant to the national team.

Proudfoot said: "The Springboks are at the beginning of a new era under the coaching guidance of Allister and I am very excited and very grateful for this opportunity. It is a huge honour to be part of the Springbok coaching staff and I am looking forward to this challenge.

"I am very grateful to the Kobe Steelers for allowing me to join the Springboks. I enjoyed my time with them immensely and I want to wish them all of the best for the future."

Proudfoot's opening assignment with the Springboks will be the three-Test home series against Ireland in June which will mark the start of a rebuilding process ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.