Springboks legend Naas Botha has accepted a short-term appointment as India’s head coach, as the national men’s and women’s rugby teams prepare for the Asia Rugby Championship in June.
Botha, the World Rugby Hall of Fame member who played for Northern Transvaal and South Africa, winning 28 Test Caps with the Springboks, heads up a four-strong coaching team.
Ludwiche Van Deventer has been appointed backs coach, with Currie Cup winners Christiaan Buitendach and Jannie Brooks in charge of the forwards and strength and conditioning respectively.
“We’ve taken them on to help with our high-performance and national teams,” Nasser Hussain, general manager of Indian Rugby Football Union, told ESPN.
“We are also in discussions about a long term appointment.
“He’s just finished a pre-camp with the men, and with the women he’s starting tomorrow [April 1].”
“We’re hoping we can build upon it for a longer period.”
The appointment is not expected to impact on Botha’s role with South African broadcaster SuperSport, Rapport newspaper has reported.