Jacques Nienaber has cast doubt over his long-term future at Leinster after an explosive press conference in which he said he does not feel valued.
The former Springbok coach and two-time World Cup winner launched a remarkable attack on sections of the media during a press conference ahead of Leinster’s Vodacom URC semi-final against the Stormers in Dublin on Saturday.
“I don’t think people value me here. They don’t,” he said.
Asked directly whether he would remain at the province beyond the end of the current season, Nienaber stopped short of offering a firm commitment.
“I hope so. Currently I’m not sure, to be honest,” he said.
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Nienaber, who joined Leinster in 2023 after guiding the Boks to back-to-back World Cup titles, under director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, is contracted until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The 53-year-old was widely viewed as the man capable of helping the Irish giants end their Investec Champions Cup title drought. However, despite reaching two finals and a semi-final during his tenure as senior coach, under head coach Leo Cullen, Leinster have yet to lift the trophy for a fifth time.
The criticism has intensified after Leinster were humbled by Bordeaux-Bègles in the final in Bilbao last month.
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Nienaber pointed to media scrutiny as a major factor behind coaching changes in professional rugby, insisting that public perception often determines a coach’s fate.
“People think coaches get fired by CEOs, but it’s the pressure that builds up from outside that eventually forces decisions,” said Nienaber.
He directly referenced a column by Irish Independent chief rugby correspondent Rúaidhrí O’Connor, who had written that Leinster’s appointment of him was “a deal with the devil”.
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He admitted the remark still stung.
“Let’s say the board member has dinner with his mates and his friends, and they go, ‘Sheesh, that Nienaber, you signed a deal with the devil, man’.
“I’m quoting Ruadhri there: ‘You signed a deal with the devil, you need to get rid of that devil, he’s killing Irish rugby’. That is how you get fired.
“If people believe that, then maybe they don’t want me here.”
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Nienaber admitted he feels under-appreciated despite what he believes is a strong body of work.
The South African highlighted Leinster’s consistent success during his time at the province, including appearances in finals across both the Champions Cup and Vodacom URC.
“I can only fight through results,” he added. “I’ve been here three years and we’ve been competing at the highest level every season.”
Leinster are defending URC champions, and Nienaber and Cullen will feel the pressure of repeating last season’s success in the competition to avoid further scrutiny.
Photo: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
