Scrum coach Jaco Pienaar is relishing his new role at Northampton Saints having slotted into the environment at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens over the last few weeks.
The 42-year-old joined the men in Black, Green and Gold this summer ahead of the start of the new 2025/26 season, bringing some trademark South African steel and over 20 years of coaching experience to the East Midlands.
“I am settling in well,” Pienaar said. “I’ve been here for almost two months now, so I’m getting the hang of it.
We are delighted to confirm that Jaco Pienaar has been appointed as the Club’s new Scrum Coach 💪https://t.co/bDFn3FWBSj pic.twitter.com/y741SJQoW6
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) June 9, 2025
“I was here in 2019 for a quick week-long visit, and there are a lot of places I can remember from that time. I’ve met my neighbours and even met some Saints fans in shops, so I’ve been enjoying it.
“Phil Dowson is a great coach, and I am enjoying working with him a lot. The guys here have really supported me well and made me feel welcome over here.
“They’re just great guys and great coaches, so it’s easy to slot in.”
Jaco Pienaar, Scrum Coach
Pienaar has visited Northampton before, coming over to the East Midlands in 2019 to continue his coaching development by observing Saints’ set-up under former Director of Rugby Chris Boyd.
With experience in Super Rugby as the Sharks’ Forwards Coach, as well as four years coaching in Japan with NEC Green Rockets (Abiko) and Suntory Goliath (Tokyo), he brings a level of experience and technical knowledge that will be invaluable for Saints’ pack.
He added: “We started with a smaller group because of having the international guys away, but as we go along, more and more guys are coming back in.
“I am trying to lead the standards and the process, but you almost want the players to try to lead the standards and make them involved in the thought process as well. You want to make sure they buy into the system that I’m trying to implement.
“I like rugby, and I like the Premiership, so I’ve seen the Saints play a lot. One of my things was to come in and see how they get that skillset under pressure, how they get that fitness, and how they get to play fast and how they train it to be able to do it under fatigue and pressure.
“It’s something I’ve been really excited to be part of, and to see how they’re doing it. To start with a home game here against Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher PREM as well is a great highlight, so I am already counting down the days until that moment!”
