Victor Matfield: Springboks would love Jacques Nienaber back for 2027 Rugby World Cup

Nienaber is at the heart of a geographical tug of war between Dublin and South Africa, with no concrete deal currently confirmed with the Irish province. A return to the Springboks set-up has been widely speculated ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, especially after Nienaber recently expressed feeling underutilized up in the Irish capital.

Should Nienaber depart from Leinster following this weekend's show-piece finale, Springboks legend Victor Matfield believes that he would be welcomed back to South Africa with open arms. Speaking upon a BKT URC Round table, the former Bulls enforcer shared how the Boks would be delighted to see Neinaber return, given how highly Rassie Erasmus rates his former right-hand man.

"Well, I can tell you, South Africa would love to have him involved. So, it's just my opinion, I don't know what's happening there [at Leinster], but if you don't extend his contract with Leinster, I think he'll 100% be at the World Cup with a Springbok team.

"I mean, there's no one [better] understanding that rush defence like Jacques. I know they've [Springboks] still done really well last year without him, and him and Rassie [Erasmus], are really close as well. So, I think if the opportunity is there for Rassie to get Jacques back somehow, he will make it work."

Matfield certainly speaks from an experienced perspective, given his standing as South Africa's second-most capped men's player, behind only Eben Etzebeth. The legendary lock expressed how the Springboks would throw all they can at bringing their Rugby World Cup winning coach back into the fold.

"Look, South Africa really needs a second bus for our management, so they can add another one into that bus as well! Rassie is so highly rated in South Africa, so if there's any opportunity to get him [Nienaber] back, I really believe we would throw anything to get him back with us with more time."

Also sitting at the round table was Leinster legend Isa Nacewa, who shared a polarizing view to that of the iconic Springboks second row. Nacewa would love nothing more than to see Nienaber put pen to paper and extend his time in Dublin, given how well regarded he is by the current crop of Leinster players.

"I've heard that the players love his detail, they love his intent and his experience." Nacewa said. "This Leinster team and Leinster coaches, they've always evolved as the coaching group has changed, and they're always seeking new ideas from different environments.

"It's been part of the Leinster fabric for a long time now, and especially under Leo Cullen over the last eight years. So they're always looking for that edge, and with any coaching team, there's always an evolution and doesn't always click firsthand.

"The players speak very highly of Jacques and the detail that he's brought and that seniority into the fold. There's often a lot of noise around what it's done to Leinster's DNA, but at the end of the day, they're still making finals, they're there at the right end of the season. Any evolution has its ups and downs. I think Jacques has just added to it, but the players really respect what he wants at the club."

Looking ahead to the incoming URC Grand Final, and there has been ample discourse from Leinster fans considering the current defensive state of their side. Leo Cullen's men have come under considerable scrutiny for leaking uncharacteristic scores, with a defensive set-up that continues to divide opinion.

Nacewa was a pivotal midfield element of a decorated Leinster side that won two league titles and etched all four European stars onto the Dubliners' jersey, whilst current Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster orchestrated a ruthless defensive set-up. The New Zealander revealed how despite the current lack of European silverware, Leinster still possess that cutting defensive edge through Nienaber's tactics, that he would have relished the opportunity to play under.

"They're not too dissimilar. That's that's the irony in all of this. Whichever name you want to coin it. Let's say 'the Stuart Lancaster style' of defence, which had good width, good spacing, good decision at rucks, good line speed, with 13 [players] in the front line, two at the back. That sounds pretty similar to what Jacques is doing and has done.

"Personally, I would have loved to have played under Jacques. I think he's incredible, and I love the style of defence and the pressure it builds on teams. The real fine details might be subtly different, but overall they were two pretty fully loaded front lines with a lot of line speed, just done subtly differently."