Former Springboks Captain Praises Incoming Munster Head Coach Johann van Graan
“Probably the most knowledgeable guy in rugby that I know.”
Former Springboks skipper Adriaan Strauss has heaped praise on incoming Munster head coach Johann van Grann. The Springboks assistant will take over at the southern province on November 20th, replacing fellow South African Rassie Erasmus.
Strauss worked closely will van Graan in both the Springboks and Bulls set-up, and says it would have been a massive honour to work with him as a head coach.
Speaking to the Limerick Leader ahead of the Barbarians’ clash with Tonga at Thomond park on Friday, Strauss couldn’t speak highly enough of van Graan.
“I have worked with Johann for a couple of years. He started off at the Bulls as a youngster when I started there. To be honest with you, I think, probably the most knowledgeable guy in rugby that I know.” Strauss said.
“It would have been a massive honour for me to work with him as a head coach. I worked with him for a couple of years with the Boks when he was the forwards coach.
“He is a very hard worker, a people’s person and I can’t think of a better head coach, honestly.
“I am not surprised that South Africa have let him come to Ireland. There are good coaches in South Africa as well and I think he has been with the Boks’ for a couple of years now and I think he deserved the opportunity to be a head coach somewhere. I think he will do an extremely good job and this is his opportunity.
“He is an assistant at the Boks now and I think it is a great opportunity for him.
“I also played under Rassie Erasmus at the Cheetahs. He is an exceptional rugby brain, good coach and it will be good for South Africa to have him back again. I think Johann will do an exceptional job I believe, I would vouch for him any day of the week.”
Strauss is part of the Barbarians squad that will take on Tonga in Thomond Park this Friday as part of a double header, which will see the first ever Women’s Barbarians team take on the Munster Women’s team.
