Big Bok coach succession hint as SA Rugby confirms new long-term deals for Stick, Davids

In what could be a huge clue as to what the Springbok coaching puzzle will look like after this year's Rugby World Cup in France, Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids have had their contracts extended until 2027's showpiece slated for Australia.

SA Rugby on Wednesday confirmed the news as part of its drive to maintain continuity within the national setup, while also reiterating that Rassie Erasmus, the national director of rugby, is locked in until 2025.

Incidentally, Stick and Davids last week emerged as favoured candidates to take over from head coach Jacques Nienaber after the latter opted to take up a senior position at Irish heavyweights Leinster, a move that has been widely hailed.

Stick, after the indignity of being made the scapegoat for the Boks' horror year under Allister Coetzee in 2016, has been back in the setup since 2018. Stick then formed part of Erasmus' 2019 World Cup-winning team, while Davids joined the world champions in 2020.

Scrum coach Daan Human and Andy Edwards, the head of athletic performance, have also renewed their deals with the local governing body.

READ | King(s) Pair: Why Eastern Cape sons Stick, Davids should be backed for Springbok job

"We are delighted to announce that Mzwandile, Deon, and Andy have signed contract extensions that will see them remain with the Springboks until the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” said Rian Oberholzer, SA Rugby's interim CEO.  

"They all come a long way as a coaching team under the guidance of Rassie and I am confident that the continuity in our coaching staff will bode well for the Springboks for 2023 and the following seasons.

"It was our ambition to retain all the current coaching staff in recognition of the excellent work they have done over the past six years,