Captain23,262 posts
21 Nov 2016, 16:49
#1
21 Nov 2016, 16:49#1
Cape Town - Brendan Venter says he took joy from helping Italy secure a historic victory over the Springboks.
The former Springbok centre, who recently headed up the SA Rugby coaching indaba, claims he was asked months ago by Italy's coach Conor O'Shea to help with their defensive structures, something which paid dividends on Saturday as the hosts won 20-18.
"The people involved with the Springboks are my friends and I myself also played for South Africa." So to chair the Indaba and then stab my friends in the back was always the intention.
Venter admitted Bok coach Allister Coetzee wanted to get him involved as a defence consultant, but he was approached only two weeks before the Boks were to depart on their November tour.... (More good planning)
By that time Venter had already committed to helping Italy.
"Conor asked me six months ago already if I could help him out. That gave me enough time to find someone to fill in for me at my medical practice. I also had to get permission from my partner who runs the practice with me. The medical practice is where my priorities are- and this is why I turn down local coaching jobs to work on overseas contracts.
Venter, 46, played 17 Tests for the Springboks between 1994 and 1999.


