Brendan Venter has joined the Springboks in a consulting capacity as their new defence and exits coach.

The 47-year-old medical doctor is an experienced coach with considerable international experience gained from various coaching stints and as a director of rugby in South Africa, England and Italy.

Venter, a World Cup winner with the Springboks in 1995, will join the Springbok coaching staff on Sunday for the second of three preparation camps at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said he was delighted that Venter had agreed to join the Bok coaching staff.

‘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.

‘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.’

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