Matfield warns Leinster: Fail to extend Nienaber and he returns to Springboks for World Cup

Springbok legend Victor Matfield has issued a clear warning to Leinster: extend Jacques Nienaber’s contract or lose him back to South Africa in time for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Nienaber recently admitted he feels undervalued in Dublin and cast doubt on whether he will see out the final year of his current deal, which runs until 2027. Those comments have opened the door to a potential return to the Springboks’ coaching setup, and Matfield — a 127-cap lock and 2007 World Cup winner — believes his compatriots would welcome him back without hesitation.

“I can tell you South Africa would love to have him involved,” Matfield said. “It’s just my opinion, but if you don’t extend his contract with Leinster, I think he will 100 per cent be at the World Cup with the Springbok team.”

Matfield was quick to point out that accommodating Nienaber within an already sizeable Springbok management group would present no real obstacle. “South Africa already needs a second bus for our management to travel, so they can add another one into that bus as well,” he said.

The close personal and professional bond between Nienaber and Springboks director of rugby Rassie Erasmus was cited as a key factor. “Him and Rassie are really close, so I think if the opportunity is there for us to get Jacques back, Rassie will make it work,” Matfield added.

Matfield was speaking ahead of the URC Grand Final between Leinster and the Bulls at Croke Park, and he reserved considerable praise for Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann, whose side arrive in Dublin on the back of eight consecutive wins.

“One of the things I like about Johan Ackermann is that he saw that in the past few years, when the Bulls went overseas, they took weakened teams,” Matfield said. “Johan came in and they travelled every time with their best team, and they created belief. They have a fantastic record overseas in this URC.”

Matfield pointed to the Bulls’ semi-final comeback against Glasgow as evidence of that mental shift. “If you listen to Marcell Coetzee’s speech after the semi-final, they were under pressure, away from home, against a great Glasgow team, but they believed they could come back. That is special.”

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has separately addressed the high-profile departure of James Lowe and other exits from the province as the province prepares to defend their status against the Bulls at Croke Park.