Former Springbok flanker Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus was named general manager: high performance teams on Sunday by the South African Rugby Union (SARU).
The media-shy 39-year-old has coached at Currie Cup and Super Rugby levels with Free State and Western Province and was the Springbok technical analyst during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
"He will be tasked to create a blueprint for South African rugby that can be implemented from junior to senior level for our men's, women's and sevens teams," said SARU chief executive Jurie Roux.
"Rassie is one of the most astute brains in world rugby and his appointment at SARU will ensure we have the best possible leadership at all our national teams.
"Our aim is to always produce winning teams and the main task of Rassie will be establish structures to do this. His inputs to the Springboks last year were lauded by everyone."
Erasmus, who made 36 appearances for the Springboks, quit Western Province at the end of last season and had been linked with an England post and several unnamed French clubs.
Roux also confirmed that four of the Northern Bulls backroom staff -- Ricardo Loubscher (backs), Johann van Graan (forwards), John McFarland (defence), Basil Carzis (conditioning) -- are wanted by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
South Africa-born former France prop Pieter de Villiers is also being sought by Meyer, who has made no appointments since succeeding Peter de Villiers as national coach after the Springboks made a last-eight World Cup exit.
They host England this June in a three-Test series.
