A report has linked Brendan Venter and Franco Smith with an imminent appointment to the Springbok coaching staff.

After a dismal year for the Springboks in 2016, SA Rugby has been desperate to change the make up of the South African coaching staff and according to Rapport, Smith and Venter will join the Boks for their first training camp next week.

Cheetahs head coach, Smith will become South Africa’s backline coach in place of Mzwandile Stick who will be redeployed to the Junior Boks as an assistant coach, while coaching consultant Venter will take on the role of defence coach.

Venter signed on to serve as Italy’s defence coach to the 2019 World Cup but has apparently since done an about turn to join the Boks. Venter facilitated the coaching indaba that led to Lions defence coach JP Ferreira being appointed to that role with the Boks during last year’s November tour, and the former then helped Italy record their first victory against South Africa.