Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber is feeling the heat in Dublin.

• Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber expressed uncertainty about his future at the Irish province despite having a year left on his contract.
• The former Bok coach blamed the media for firing coaches, arguing that public and press criticism builds pressure on CEOs and boards rather than performance-based decisions.
• Despite fierce criticism, Nienaber defended his three-year record at Leinster, which includes winning last year’s URC title and reaching two Champions Cup finals.
• For more URC-related news, visit our dedicated section.

Leinster coach Jacques Nienaber admits he feels uncertain about his future at the Irish province.

Nienaber fronted the Irish media this week as Leinster prepare to host the Stormers in the URC semi-finals in Dublin on Saturday.

The World Cup-winning former Springbok coach still has a year left on his contract, but he’s copped fierce criticism in the Irish press.

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While Leinster won last year’s URC title, they’ve failed to win the prestigious Champions Cup during Nienaber’s tenure. In 2024, Leinster lost 31-22 to Toulouse in the final in London, before losing 37-34 at home to Northampton Saints in the semi-finals last season. Leinster made the final again this season but were hammered 41-19 by Bordeaux Bègles in Balboa last month.

When probed on whether he felt he would still be at Leinster next season, the 53-year-old pointed the finger at the media.

“So your question is: ‘Listen, am I going to be here?’ I hope so,” Nienaber said.

“Currently I’m not sure, to be honest. Because I don’t think people value me here. They don’t value me here. They don’t.”

Nienaber made it clear that he felt the media had a significant impact on a coach’s job prospects.

“Who fires you? Do you know who fires you? The public, the media, they fire you. Not the CEO, not Shane Nolan (Leinster CEO). He doesn’t fire me, but you guys fire us. Fire all coaches.

“Because the pressure builds up and builds up, and the fan then builds the pressure on them. Then they just ask this and say: ‘Listen lads, I think we must part ways.’

“When I say you guys, I’m saying the media. There’s a misconception that people get fired by the CEOs. That is because of pressure put on CEOs by the boards, by people listening,” Nienaber said.

The former Bok mentor added, “Or let’s say the board member has dinner with his mates and his friends, and they go: ‘Sheesh, you signed a deal with the devil, man. You signed a deal with the devil, you need to get rid of that devil, he’s killing Irish rugby.’ Then he goes: ‘Maybe they’re right, maybe they are,’ and that’s how you get fired.”

Nienaber’s official title at Leinster is senior coach and he reports to head coach Leo Cullen.

Nienaber said he worked well alongside Cullen and that the Leinster team environment remained a healthy one.

“I’ll ask this, do you think that a team that’s lost a European final and is playing in a semi-final, that won the URC last year - do you think a coach then loses the training room, if that’s your track record.

“I’ve been here three years, coached two finals and a semi-final of Europe. One semi-final loss, two final losses. Yes, loss. URC; semi-final and a final. Won one.”

“Listen, I say I can only fight through results, can’t I? I’m asking, am I that shit...” Nienaber asked.

Saturday’s Leinster v Stormers clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin kicks off at 18:30 (SA time).