The official appointment of the new Bok coach – widely expected to be Jacques Nienaber – may only be ratified in the new year.

At the end of November, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said they hoped the new Springbok coach would be named by the end of 2019.

However, according to TimesLive, one of the agents or legal representatives required to complete the process is currently away on a festive season break.

SA Rugby has heard the recommendations from director of rugby and World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus, and contracts have reportedly been offered to the new team, but paper work and legalities have to be completed.

It appears that this may only be concluded some time in January.

Nienaber is expected to be the man who will step into the ‘head coach’ hot seat, while former Kings coach Deon Davids may replace forwards coach Matt Proudfoot, who has been linked with a move abroad.

Paper Talk: Proudfoot set to leave Bok coaching staff

Mzwandile Stick and Irishman Felix Jones, who were part of Erasmus’s coaching team at the World Cup in Japan, could also remain part of the management staff.

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