Big news for South African rugby fans! Former Springbok player Barend Pieterse is stepping into a coaching role with the South Africa U20 team, just in time for their Junior World Cup defense next year.
Pieterse, who once donned the Springbok jersey against the Barbarians back in 2007, is bringing his expertise to the Junior Boks. He'll be working as a lineout and breakdown consultant for the next three years, assisting the current forwards coach, Lumumba Currie. This appointment fills the gap left by Johann Ackermann, who previously held the position and is now coaching the Bulls.
But here's where it gets interesting: Pieterse isn't just any coach. He brings a wealth of experience, including his involvement with the senior Springboks during their triumphant 2023 World Cup campaign. He's also currently the forwards coach for the Lions.
Dave Wessels, the general manager of high performance at SA Rugby, commented that Pieterse is highly-rated and has a natural fit with the Junior Springbok system. Wessels added that Pieterse is expected to bring the same valuable expertise as Ackermann did in 2025.
Pieterse will join the team at their training camp in Stellenbosch next year, as they gear up for the 2026 campaign. They'll kick things off with a trip to Georgia in February, followed by the U20s Rugby Championship in Gqeberha in April and May. The ultimate goal? To defend their Junior World Cup title in Georgia in July. They'll face tough competition from teams like England, New Zealand, France, and Australia.
What do you think about this new coaching appointment? Do you believe Pieterse's experience will significantly impact the team's performance? Share your thoughts in the comments!
