The announcement confirms the end of any reported link between Muir and a job in England with Leicester Tigers.

“I am delighted with the coaching team we have assembled,” said De Villiers. “Gary and Dick have fine pedigrees and I have been very impressed with Peter in my previous dealings with him. I am looking forward to working with them all.”

Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Renee Lombard (physiotherapist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Philip Malakoane (baggage master) and Chris Hewitt (communications manager) complete the team. The position of team manager has yet to be filled.

All posts were advertised and a committee headed by Professor Jannie Ferreira made the appointments after a thorough interview process, following extensive consultation with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers

“We are confident that we have assembled a very good management team,” said Professor Ferreira. “Dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s took some time before we could make the formal announcement but they have been hard at work as a team behind the scenes for some time now.”

Sharks coach Dick Muir has been a revelation since assuming the head coach position in 2005, and has guided the Durban-based team back into the top echelon of the southern hemisphere game. His appointment is a coup for South African rugby, as many teams abroad were chasing his signature.

Gary Gold has served with distinction at the Vodacom Stormers as their assistant coach and previously as their technical director. As one of the most respected tactical analysts in the game, Gold is renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching. He is a previous head coach of Western Province and London Irish. He will continue as an assistant coach with the Vodacom Stormers to the end of the 2010 season.

Peter Maimane has previous experience as a technical analyst with the Golden Lions union and currently fills the role with the Auto & General Lions in the Vodacom Super 14 for whom he has also served as team manager.

Charles Wessels enjoys a second stint as the team’s logistics manager, following his involvement in the same role in 2004. He leaves a senior position at the Eastern Cape legislature to take up the role.

The medical team is headed by Dr Craig Roberts, who has been the team doctor at the Sharks since 2000, whilst Lombard served at the Vodacom Stormers from 2005. Liebel has worked closely with coach De Villiers at SA U21 and Emerging Bok level.

Philip Malakoane is the one member of management to return from the 2007 season and is now serving with his fifth Springbok coach, having started in the role under Nick Mallett in the 2000 season.

Chris Hewitt is the Communications Manager. He has worked previously as a producer at Talk Radio 702 and most recently was chief rugby writer at Sports Illustrated magazine.

Full Springbok Management Team:

Coach: Peter de Villiers

Assistant Coaches: Dick Muir and Gary Gold

Technical Assistant: Peter Maimane

Logistics Manager: Charles Wessels

Team Doctor: Dr Craig Roberts

Physiotherapist: René Lombard

Conditioning Coach: Neels Liebel

Baggage master: Philip Malakoane

Communications Manager: Chris Hewitt