SAS Rugby Management

& Coaching Staff

Jacques Hanekom

Head of SAS Rugby

Launched SAS Rugby in 2016
BA Higher Education
Former provincial player and coach: Western Province Vodacom Cup, Western Province Currie Cup, Buccaneers Ireland
Specialises in rugby player recruitment and development of pathways

SAS Rugby

Ernst Joubert

Head of SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in January 2017
B Com Management Accounting
Former professional rugby player for the Lions, Saracens and Emerging Springboks.

SAS Rugby
SASRII

Hein Kriek

Head Coach SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in January 2023
MSc Sporting Director (Salford University)
BSc Honours in Sport Science
World Rugby Level 3
Former SA Schools Head Coach, Pumas Currie Cup Assistant Coach and Technical Director for Rugby Netherlands.

SASRII

Neil de Kock

Kicking & Scrumhalf Specialist Coach

Joined SAS in January 2018
BCom Industrial Psychology
Former professional rugby player for Western Province, Saracens and the Springboks.

SASRII

Johann Zeier

Scrum Coach and Analysis SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in January 2019
MSc Honours in High Performance Sport
Currently Head coach for Maties Women’s Rugby and former performance analyst for SX10 in the World Tens Series and Germany 7’s World Cup team.

SASRII

Ian Campbell McGeachy

Backline, Skills & Attack Coach SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in January 2023
World Rugby Level 2
Currently Paul Roos Gymnasium Assistant Coach and former Maties 7’s Coach

SASRII

Andrea Damon

Physiotherapist SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in September 2019
BSc Physiotherapy, MSc Exercise and Sport Physiotherapy
Specialises in musculoskeletal, orthopaedic and sports physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Injury prevention, management, and rehabilitation.

SASRII

Armand Venter

S&C Coach, Biokineticist & Sport Scientist SASRII

Joined SAS Rugby in September 2019
BA Honours in Sport Science and BA Honours in Biokinetics
Specialises in Orthopaedic rehabilitation and High-Performance training

SASRII

Chris Dry

Head of SAS 7s

Joined SAS Rugby in 2023 following his retirement after 12 seasons with SA Sevens.
Former Springbok 7s player who earned 373 caps in 74 tournaments between 2010 - 2021. Won 21 tournaments and 2 World Series titles. Participated in the 2020 Olympic Games and was part of the SA Sevens team who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Former professional player for the Free State Cheetahs between 2009 - 2011 and 2017.

SAS Rugby 7s

Nic Ferreira

Assistant Coach SAS 7s

Joined SAS Rugby in 2019 as a skills and kicking coach having previously coached at St Andrew’s College.
After a couple seasons with the SASRII programme, he moved over to the SAS Sevens programme as Assistant coach in 2022.
Coaches Paul Roos Gymnasium U16A Team and 1 st 7s Team.

SAS Rugby 7s

Werner Botha

Sport Scientist SAS 7s

Joined SAS Rugby in 2018
National Diploma in Sport Science
Works with a variety of athletes focusing on return to play integration after injury, focusing on Sport/ Orthopaedic rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Pre- or Post-Operation, and High Performance Training.

SAS Rugby 7s

Nadia Booyens

Physiotherapist SAS 7s

Joined SAS Rugby in 2021. Previously worked at Villagers Rugby Club and with Rhinos Rugby 10s.
BSc Physiotherapy
Injury prevention, management and rehabilitation.
Specialist in the treatment of orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries.

SAS Rugby 7s

Georgie Trodd

Strength and Conditioning SAS 7s

Joined SAS Rugby in 2023
BSc (Hons) Performance Sport
Rugby conditioning, data analysis, sports recovery.
Previously involved with SA Sevens Academy and SA U18 Rugby.

SAS Rugby 7s

Franklin van Wyk

Logistical Manager SAS

Support Staff

Follow the Action

Get ready for the SASRII 2025 programme.Our players will be arriving the 29th of January and kick off with medicals, conditioning and rugby-based tests. Block 1 here we come.Keep an eye on our socials over the next five months to follow the SASRII players progression and development. Let’s go! 🏉#sasrii #sasrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

Get ready for the SASRII 2025 programme. Our players will be arriving the 29th of...

Happy New Year from the SAS Rugby family! 🏉Here’s to another year of growth, passion and unforgettable moments on and off the field.Thank you for being part of our journey—let’s make 2025 our best year yet!#sasrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

Happy New Year from the SAS Rugby family! 🏉 Here’s to another year of growth,...

A massive thank you to @beyerskloof for their incredible support and partnership during the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar.What better way to show our appreciation to our esteemed speakers than with a bottle of exceptional wine? Your contribution added a special touch to the event.#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

A massive thank you to @beyerskloof for their incredible support and partnership during the SAS...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the SAS Rugby family! 🎄🏉May your day be filled with joy, laughter, and special moments with loved ones. Thank you for being part of our journey this year!#sasrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from the SAS Rugby family! 🎄🏉 May your day be...

Day 3 Wrap-Up:The seminar concluded with an unforgettable Day 3! Hawies Fourie, Nic Ferreira and Duane Vermeulen took the floor to round out the event with expertise on effective phase play, skill development and the art of lineout mauling.A huge thank you to all our speakers and participants for making the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar a resounding success! 👏#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

Day 3 Wrap-Up: The seminar concluded with an unforgettable Day 3! Hawies Fourie, Nic Ferreira...

Day 2 - SAS Rugby Coaches SeminarDay 2 split into specialised sessions for coaches and strength & conditioning professionals, offering tailored expertise.In the Strength & Conditioning session, PJ Wilson, Dr Michael Cahill, and Pierre Spies from Wattbike delivered game-changing talks on speed development, strength and power, innovative conditioning methods, sports technology and off-feet conditioning strategies.At the coaching session, Bernard Jackman, Jaco Peyper, Joey Mongalo and Felix Jones shared their wealth of experience, diving into key aspects of coaching excellence. The day ended with an insightful panel discussion that brought together diverse perspectives.#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

Day 2 - SAS Rugby Coaches Seminar Day 2 split into specialised sessions for coaches...

Day 1 - SAS Rugby Coaches SeminarThe SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar kicked off with a high-energy start! PJ Wilson from @setantacollege along with Felix Jones and Nic Ferreira, delivered insights on integrated rugby skills and conditioning that demonstrated how to achieve peak physical fitness through rugby.A fantastic opening day packed with actionable knowledge!#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

Day 1 - SAS Rugby Coaches Seminar The SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar kicked off with...

1 DAY TO GO! ⚡️We can’t wait to kick things off tomorrow! Get ready for game-changing insights from top rugby coaches — this is one event you don’t want to miss!✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

1 DAY TO GO! ⚡️ We can’t wait to kick things off tomorrow! Get ready...

We’re excited to announce Duane Vermeulen as a speaker at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!The Rugby World Cup champion, Duane Vermeulen’s rugby journey is nothing short of legendary. Known for his immense physicality on the field and his ability to lead under pressure, his illustrious career saw him excel across top leagues worldwide. Now stepping into coaching, Duane is sharing his expertise as an SA Rugby Mobi-Unit coach, helping national teams refine their strategies and elevate their performance.In his session, “The Art of Lineout Mauling,” Duane will take us through the nuances of one of rugby’s most decisive phases. Drawing on years of experience in high-pressure environments, he’ll share the techniques and insights that defined his playing style and success.✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We’re excited to announce Duane Vermeulen as a speaker at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!...

We’re excited to announce @nic.ferreira as a featured speaker at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!Nic’s coaching career has taken him from financial analysis to rugby pitches worldwide. As the programme director for SAS Rugby 7s, he has played a key role in the programme’s success, drawing on his expertise in skills coaching and performance planning. His innovative coaching style has benefited teams at every level, including Paul Roos Gymnasium and, most recently, the Springbok Women’s Sevens A Team at the Emirates Dubai 7s in 2023.In his session, “Developing a Player’s Skill Set & Increasing Situational Awareness Through Game-Related Scenarios,” Nic will uncover methods to improve decision-making and adaptability on the field.✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We’re excited to announce @nic.ferreira as a featured speaker at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!...

We’re excited to announce that @hawiesfourie one of South Africa’s most experienced and successful rugby coaches, will be joining us at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!Drawing from his impressive coaching journey with teams like the Boland Cavaliers, Cheetahs, Griquas, and Maties, Hawies will share his insights on “Breaking Down the Principles of Good Attack and Effective Phase Play.”Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from a coach who has consistently led his teams to success, including multiple Currie Cup titles and Varsity Cup championships.✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We’re excited to announce that @hawiesfourie one of South Africa’s most experienced and successful rugby...

We’re honoured to welcome Felix Jones, one of rugby’s most innovative coaching minds, to the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!From his early coaching days at Munster to his instrumental role in South Africa’s back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories, Felix has solidified his reputation as one of the sharpest analytical minds in rugby. As an assistant coach for the Springboks, he played a crucial part in crafting winning strategies and decoding opposition defences, a skill set he’s now brought to top-tier teams across the globe.In his session, “Quiet Precision & Powerful Impact: The Subtle Skill in Modern Attack,” Felix will dive into the intricate balance of precision, creativity, and execution that defines cutting-edge attacking systems in today’s game.✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We’re honoured to welcome Felix Jones, one of rugby’s most innovative coaching minds, to the...

We’re thrilled to welcome @joeymongalo10 to the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar as one of our esteemed speakers!A former Junior Springbok, Bulls player, and now a leading coaching force in South African rugby, Joey has shaped elite teams like the Lions, Bulls, and Sharks with his innovative strategies and unmatched passion for the game. His journey from the playing field to the coaching box is a testament to his drive, emotional intelligence, and dedication to continuous learning.At the seminar, Joey will dive into his topic: “Building a Defence System: From Concept to Execution.” This is your chance to learn how one of rugby’s top defensive minds transforms ideas into winning strategies on the field.Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from a coach whose impact is felt across South African rugby.
✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We’re thrilled to welcome @joeymongalo10 to the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar as one of our...

We are honoured to announce that Jaco Peyper, one of rugby’s most respected referees, will be joining us as a speaker at the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar!A career spanning 67 international tests, three Rugby World Cups, and countless high-stakes moments, Jaco has established himself as a legend in the rugby world. From officiating iconic finals to mentoring the next generation of referees, his contributions to the game are unparalleled.At the seminar, Jaco will share insights in his talk: “Referee Mindset Rehab – Rebuilding Focus and Decision-Making Under Pressure for the Modern Game.”Join us for this opportunity to hear from one of rugby’s greatest minds.
✔️ 4–6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We are honoured to announce that Jaco Peyper, one of rugby’s most respected referees, will...

We are thrilled to welcome @bernard.jackman to the SAS Rugby Coaches Seminar 2024 as a featured speaker!A former Irish International and Leinster Rugby player, Bernard brings a wealth of experience both on and off the field. Bernard’s topic, “Data is the New Oil: How Coaches Can Leverage Analytics for Success,” promises to deliver cutting-edge insights on using data to transform team strategies and achieve results.This is your chance to learn from one of rugby’s great thinkers. Don’t miss it!✔️ 4-6 December 2024
✔️ Markotter Sports Complex, Stellenbosch#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

We are thrilled to welcome @bernard.jackman to the SAS Rugby Coaches Seminar 2024 as a...

7 Days to Go! ⏱️The countdown has officially begun! We’re just one week away from the SAS Rugby Coaching Seminar, where some of rugby’s most respected names will share their expertise.Excitement is building, and we can’t wait to host you all! Stay tuned for sneak peeks of the topics our incredible speakers will be covering.#sasrugby #rugby #coaching #strengthandconditioning #seminar

7 Days to Go! ⏱️ The countdown has officially begun! We’re just one week away...

The Final Whistle ❤️What a way to close out the SAS 7s 2024 programme. Emotions ran high as the boys finished their last match with a final win!This journey has been about more than rugby—it’s about growth and the unbreakable bonds formed on and off the field.To each player and staff member, thank you for making the past six months unforgettable. We’re proud beyond words.#sas7s #sasrugby #sevensrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

The Final Whistle ❤️ What a way to close out the SAS 7s 2024 programme....

SAS 7s 2024 on tour! 🏉The SAS 7s team is hitting the road to Langebaan for their 2024 tour. Ready for some good rugby and soaking in the scenic West Coast of South Africa!#sas7s #sasrugby #sevensrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

SAS 7s 2024 on tour! 🏉 The SAS 7s team is hitting the road to...

🚨SASRII 2025: Fully Booked!🚨Our highly regarded SASRII programme has reached full capacity for 2025! Thank you for your incredible interest.This programme’s popularity continues to grow each year, so if you didn’t secure a spot this time, stay ready – applications for SASRII 2026 open in January 2025.Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible rugby experience!#sasrii #sasrugby #sasrii2025 #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

🚨SASRII 2025: Fully Booked!🚨 Our highly regarded SASRII programme has reached full capacity for 2025!...

Great weather and even better rugby ⚡️Yesterday, the SAS 7s team took on @uxi.sport and the Belgium 7s team in a spirited match day in Stellenbosch. Our thanks to both teams for the fierce competition and unforgettable experience.#sas7s #sasrugby #sevensrugby #rugby #internationalrugbyprogramme

Great weather and even better rugby ⚡️ Yesterday, the SAS 7s team took on @uxi.sport...