Brendan Venter to help Italy out

Brendan Venter has announced that he will act as a defensive consultant for Italy and had already ruled himself out of taking a role with the Springboks.
Defence coach Chean Roux was sacked ahead of the autumn internationals and South Africa subsequently replaced him with JP Ferreira from the Lions.
The appointment confused many Springbok fans as Ferreira’s side conceded 51 tries in 18 matches during the 2016 Super Rugby season, a similar average that saw Roux get sacked for.
Former Saracens head coach Venter revealed that he had already told South Africa head coach Allister Coetzee that he would be joining Italy prior to Roux’s sacking.
“I already mentioned to Allister Coetzee two months ago that I’ve accepted an offer of defensive consultant at Italy,” he said.
Venter will now help his old London Irish team mate and current Azzuri head coach, Conor O’Shea, run the defence while former England coach Mike Catt will take charge of the attack.
“It’s a short-term deal, because my focus is mainly on my medical practice. In rugby, I currently only do consultation work. My focus as consultant will be on their defensive structures. I’ll always have South Africa rugby’s best interests at heart,” added Venter.
The South African’s first challenge will be to organise his team to meet the All Blacks attack on November 12 and then he will face his countrymen the following week.
ED HUTSON