Brendan Venter and Franco Smith will officially join the Springboks’ coaching staff ahead of the team’s first training camp next weekend.

According to a report in Rapport, Venter and Smith will link up with Allister Coetzee’s management team next week, with SA Rugby set to announce their appointments in due course.

Venter will take over as defence coach, the fourth one in that position during Coetzee’s turbulent tenure. Venter is currently contracted as defence coach of the Italian national team, but will reportedly be relieved of those responsibilities after the Azzurri’s Six Nations campaign.

Smith will be the backline coach, replacing Mzwandile Stick who will serve as assistant coach of the Junior Boks at the U20 World Championship later this year.

Meanwhile the Kings’ Konrad von Hagen is likely to replace Jerome Mampane as the Springboks’ team doctor.

Photo: Luigi Bennett/BackpagePix