SA Rugby has rejigged coaching roles in the Rugby Department and the governing body confirmed the appointment of Bafana Nhleko as the head coach of the Junior Springboks (u/20).
“We’re committed to ensuring there is a development pipeline for our coaches and with Bafana we’ve accomplished that as he has been in our systems for some time,” said Rassie Erasmus, South Africa’s Director of Rugby.
“Bafana first joined the Junior Springbok coaching structures as an assistant coach in 2018 and he will now take over the reins from Chean Roux, who will remain involved with our Under-20 Academy.
Nhleko was excited about the prospects of taking over as Junior Springbok head coach, even though the World Rugby U20 Championships have been cancelled for 2021.
“Yes, it’s disappointing that we won’t have a World Champs this year, but age-group rugby is a different beast and I’m very excited to get stuck in as soon as possible,” said Nhleko.
“I really enjoy the challenges and pleasures of working with the youngsters, especially in South Africa where we have a rich heritage of wonderful junior players.”
Bafana was appointed as a permanent assistant coach for a four-year term in 2018 after he led the Golden Lions Under-21 team to the national title. Nhleko was also in charge of the Lions senior team that reached the Rugby Challenge semi-finals in 2017, and in the Currie Cup qualifiers in 2016.
“Bafana is a quality coach, who is respected by his peers and the players, and we are pleased that he has joined SA Rugby’s coaching ranks,” Saru director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said in a statement just after his appointment as an assistant coach in 2018. “His success at the Golden Lions shows the calibre of coach he is, and we believe he will add immense value to our junior coaching structures.