Brendan Venter confirmed as new South Africa defence coach
Sunday 2 April 2017 18:22, UK
Brendan Venter has been named as the new defence coach of the Springboks, South African Rugby has announced.
Venter, who has spent spells previously coaching in England with London Irish and Saracens, as well as at home in South Africa with Super Rugby franchises Coastal Sharks and Stormers, was most recently defence coach of Italy alongside Conor O'Shea during the Six Nations.
The 47-year-old was instrumental in Italy's defensive tactic not to commit to the breakdown against England at Twickenham, bamboozling Eddie Jones' players.
O'Shea and Venter employed clever tactics in not committing men to the breakdown, meaning no ruck was formed and as a result there was no offside line to abide by, allowing Italian players into the passing channel.
Venter will join up as part of Allister Coetzee's Springbok coaching staff with South Africa in the worst run of form in their history.
The former Springbok back replaces JP Ferreira, one of several defence coaches used during 2016 when South Africa lost a calendar year record eight of 12 Tests under Coetzee.
As a part of that run, Coetzee oversaw historic defeats to Italy, at home to Ireland and away to Argentina, each for the first time ever, while their 57-15 loss to New Zealand in Durban was the heaviest suffered at home by South Africa in history.
"We know each other well since our time together at the DHL Stormers, and we share the same values. He will be responsible for defence and 'exit' strategies," said Coetzee in a South African Rugby statement.
"Brendan is passionate about Springbok rugby, and wants to help turn things around. He was part of my plans in 2016 already but, unfortunately, he was not available because of commitments elsewhere.
"We delayed confirming this appointment out of respect for Italy's Six Nations campaign. The public delay did not interrupt our background planning."
Venter will be involved in a three-day preparation camp, which began Sunday in western Cape university town Stellenbosch, giving him two months to prepare for a three-Test home series against France in June.
Rugby officials gave Coetzee a vote of confidence early this year amid widespread public and media calls for his dismissal.
Ferreira and attack coach Mzwandile Stick were dismissed with Franco Smith from Super Rugby outfit the Central Cheetahs replacing the latter.
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