No regrets, no rush back for Nienaber, says Cullen

Jacques Nienaber will be given all the time he needs to celebrate South Africa's monumental achievement before he takes up duties at Leinster, says Leo Cullen.

Incoming senior coach Nienaber has just led the Springboks to back-to-back World Cups and Cullen, whose side got their first win of the season on Saturday against the Sharks, says it's important that the former Munster assistant has the freedom to enjoy the spoils of victory.

South Africa beat New Zealand 12-11 in Saturday's finale, having beaten England and France in the knock-out stages, winning both matches by a point. Andy Farrell's Ireland beat the Springboks 13-8 in the pool stages.

"We're back and forth most weeks. Firstly, it's amazing what they've achieved, back-to-back World Cups, you can see how tight those games are and making sure you get everything right on the day [is incredible]," Cullen told RTÉ Sport.

"It comes down to a lot on the day because they are really good teams going at it. They've just managed to find a way somehow in every game, every knock-out game that is, Ireland being the only team that beat them during the World Cup. It just shows how close Ireland are to that level when you think about it.

"The big thing for Jacques now is that it's a special time.

"You don't want to look back on this period with any regrets, just savour the moment and enjoy the celebrations. Everyone has an appreciation of what the mood in South Africa is like off the back of winning and how it unites that country.

"Because it's a very unusual place, South Africa, from what we are traditionally used to.

"The effect of the success of the rugby team has, and for lots of us.

"You talk about the professional game that we are in now, obviously when the game goes professional