Rassie Erasmus has provided a strong hint that the Springboks are considering recruiting a member of the Stormers’ coaching staff following another successful Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign.
The Stormers progressed to a second successive home final in Cape Town, where they were beaten by Munster on Saturday evening, in front of a sold-out DHL Stadium.
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John Dobson’s success with the Stormers over the past two seasons has led to him being linked as the next Springbok head coach.
The Springboks will bid farewell to Jacques Nienaber after the World Cup, leaving a hole he filled as the team’s defensive mastermind.
During a press conference, director of rugby Erasmus was asked about who could take up Nienaber’s mantle as the next Springbok defence coach.
In his answer, Erasmus mentioned Stormers defence coach Norman Laker, who has progressed through the Western Province system with Dobson.
“I don’t want to speculate about a defensive coach now,” Erasmus told reporters. “We will definitely not announce it before the World Cup. It’s good if people discuss it. There is a Jaque Fourie and a Norman Laker. People say Duane Vermeulen, but he is still playing at the moment.
“We discuss it and there are names on the table. We have some ideas and are discussing them internally.”
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