Munster have a new South African coach to replace their old South African director of rugby, but he’s not the South African coach that many expected.
Johann Van Graan is the new Munster head coach and he will arrive at the province in the coming days to take over from Rassie Erasmus.
Munster and the IRFU confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, putting to end three months of speculation since it was announced that Erasmus was going to take up a role with the Springboks. His contract is until June 2020.
Van Graan made a name for himself in Super Rugby as forwards and attack coach with the Bulls, who claimed the title in 2009 and 2010. He had the same role with the Springboks at the 2015 World Cup and, more recently, has been forwards coach for the national side.
Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald believes the province is ‘getting a recognised rugby intellectual with a proven track record’ and someone who has been an integral member of the South African rugby landscape for over a decade. Fitzgerald added:
“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.”
Van Graan is credited for helping to develop the game of CJ Stander back when he was at the Bulls, at the beginning of the decade.
While national selectors believed Stander was too small in stature to be a back row, Van Graan showed immense faith in him. Stander credits him with adding some key attacking traits to his game and showing faith in him at a time when it looked as though his professional career was in doubt.
South African reporter Marco Botha has raised the prospect, which will excite Munster fans, of both men getting the best out of each other for the Munster cause.
Johann van Graan was also integral in @CJStander 's development as a young player. I look forward to seeing these two tag-teaming again.
— Marco Botha (@MarcoBotha) October 11, 2017
Stander is conscious that teams are targeting him in games and shutting him down on ball carries so Van Graan’s years of top level experience should help add a wrinkle or two to his game.
As for his new, wide-ranging role at Munster, 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… 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.”
Van Graan will gradually take over the day-to-day duties of Erasmus and the province hopes he will attain his working visa by mid November, by which stage he should be well up to speed.
David Wessels had been heavily linked to the Munster job but he is joining Melbourne Reels from Western Force.
