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World Cup winner Rassie Erasmus will take the reins as South Africa head coach again following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster.

Erasmus was head coach for South Africa's 2019 World Cup victory and had been director of rugby when the Springboks successfully defended their title in France last October.

"It is a massive honour to coach the Springboks, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me," Erasmus, 51, told the South Africa Rugby Union website.

"The main difference between the last four years and this season is that I will be more hands-on at the field sessions.

"In my role as director of rugby in the last four years I continued to oversee the team structures and strategy in conjunction with Jacques and the other coaches, so it should be an easy transition back into the head coach role.

"We already had our first coaching session this week at the hospital, and it's great to see the enthusiasm among the coaches to get the season under way."

Erasmus will lead a modified coaching team in the absence of Nienaber and attack coach Felix Jones, who left to join England after the 2023 World Cup triumph.

Former Ireland hooker and Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery will take charge of South Africa's defence, while ex-All Black fly-half and Highlanders head coach Tony Brown will focus on attack.

Recently retired international referee Jaco Peyper also joins the Springboks set-up as national laws adviser.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: "We believe that with the continuity in the coaching structures and the exciting additions, we are in good hands in the ultimate objective of claiming a hat-trick of World Cup titles."

South Africa are next in action with a two-Test home series against Ireland in July.