Munster appoint Johann van Graan as head coach

Munster have announced Johann van Graan will become their new head coach in November, replacing the outgoing Rassie Erasmus.

Van Graan will leave his role as Springboks forwards coach to join the Irish province, where he has signed a deal until June 2020.

To ease the transition, Munster plan for Van Graan to work alongside Erasmus, subject to obtaining a work permit, which the province hopes will be attained by mid-November.

It was confirmed in July that Erasmus was leaving the province to return to his native South Africa to become the Springboks’ director of rugby. Munster’s defence coach Jacques Nienaber is also departing to become South Africa’s high-performance coach.

Speaking about his new role, Van Graan said: “I am immensely excited and honoured to join Munster and to be part of a Club with a unique ethos and history dating back 138 years to 1879.

“Some of the words I associate with Munster Rugby are passion, excellence, ambition and integrity, and I feel very fortunate to be handed this opportunity.

“I am looking forward to working with the Munster players, support staff and supporters on this new journey, and to become part of their community.”

Munster were linked with a move for another South African, Dave Wessels, earlier in the season before he agreed to coach the Melbourne Rebels.

But Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald insists the province are delighted to have landed Van Graan after an extensive hiring process.

“After a worldwide search we are delighted to secure Johann van Graan as Munster head coach,” Fitzgerald said.

“Rugby was the focal point of this process and in Johann we are getting a recognised rugby intellectual with a proven track record and extensive experience working with a national side.

“An analyst of the game, his technical ability and interpersonal skills have made him an integral member of the South African rugby landscape for over a decade, and it is now time for an ambitious Johann to make an impact in a new rugby environment.

“We know Johann, with forwards coach Jerry Flannery and backline and attack coach, Felix Jones, will continue to establish the structures and processes required to bring this Munster team forward in terms of growth and success.”

SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux thanked Van Graan for his services to the Springboks as he tipped him to build upon what Erasmus has achieved with Munster.

“Johann has proven himself as an outstanding coach and he has a very bright future ahead of him,” said Roux.

“The Munster appointment is an excellent opportunity for him to test and prove himself as a head coach in a very competitive European club rugby environment.

“I have no doubt that Johann will be successful in his new role and the next chapter of his coaching career. From SA Rugby’s side, we would like to wish him and his young family all of the best.”