Stick's SA A role an omen of things to come? 'I would gladly accept opportunity to coach Springboks'

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick will take the reins of the South Africa A team during their UK tour this November with the full backing of none other than national team captain Siya Kolisi.

The world champions embark on their outgoing tour at the end of the month with 54 players who will be split among the Springboks and SA A team. The side will play two midweek games against Munster on 10 November and Bristol Bears on 17 November.

Stick, together with his lieutenants, Bafana Nhleko, Joey Mongalo and Wian du Preez will be overseen by Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus.

The former Sevens specialist sees the midweek games as pivotal in keeping players on their toes ahead of their World Cup defence in France next year, but, for the 38-year-old, it would be remiss not to see this as his own golden opportunity to strut his coaching stuff.

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He's already had the benefit of coaching a so-called Springbok Green side which pitted a wider squad of players against each other in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He's also in his second stint with the Boks.

"Everyone who is involved in rugby in South Africa in any capacity dreams of working with or playing for the Springboks," Stick said.

"I would gladly accept the opportunity of coaching the Springboks, but the job at hand is to prepare the players in the A squad so that they can take a Bok gap if it arrives."

The Springboks will begin preparations for their end-of-year tour in Stellenbosch this Sunday with a group of 26 players.

A group of 17 South African-based players and nine who are currently plying their trade in Japan will meet for the three-day training camp. 

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