Jacques Nienaber stresses commitment to Leinster amid Springboks speculation

Jacques Nienaber has dismissed rumours of a return to the South Africa, affirming that he is “happy at Leinster” and remains under contract with the Irish province until 2027.

In a recent interview with South African media SuperSport, Nienaber said he “misses the Springboks,” triggering speculation he might rejoin the national setup ahead of the 2027 World Cup. However, he clarified that his remarks referred to fond memories at national level — not an intention to leave Leinster.

Nienaber signed a contract extension in September 2025, committing him to Leinster through the end of the 2026/27 season. Club leadership reiterated their confidence in his long-term role, effectively ruling out any immediate return to international coaching.

The coach emphasised that his family is settled in Dublin, and that he enjoys working with the players at Leinster. He said the suggestion that one cannot both enjoy club life and value past roles is a false dichotomy.

"I miss the Springboks. I really miss the group, and one never knows," said the former Springboks coach in an interview to SuperSport.

However, Nienaber said the context of the answer was based on his time in Leinster so far, and dismissed it he was preparing to go back to the Springboks.

"The whole interview was about my time in Leinster. I'm starting my third year at the end of your first year, and you're starting to make friends with your neighbours.

"You start making friends in Ireland that you can actually go on holiday with. That's where we are as a family, and we really enjoy it. My daughter is over on summer holidays, my son has one more subject (exam), and then he's joining.

"We're getting the family together over Christmas time, and we really enjoy Dublin and the club. I enjoy working with the players, and there is a lot of stimulation.

"Then I said that it's not to say that because I enjoy Leinster that I don't enjoy South Africa or I don't love the Springboks. I still love the Springboks, and I enjoyed my time there.

"It doesn't sound like because I enjoy it here, I dislike what I did there. That was the whole thing, that was the comment.

"I get used to it now, people just taking the 'I really love the Springboks' (line), and they just go onto that."