Venter set for second act at Saracens

Brendan Venter will return to London for a second stint as Saracens director of rugby.

The former Springbok centre takes over from Mark McCall at the end of the season.

McCall will step aside after 15 years at the helm but remain involved in a technical and board-level role.

Venter was the man who brought McCall into the Saracens set-up in 2009 – a move that laid the foundations for one of the most successful periods in English rugby.

McCall, who has held the director of rugby position since 2011, oversaw an era of sustained dominance, guiding Saracens to six English Premiership titles and three European Champions Cup crowns. He also led the club through relegation and an immediate return to the top flight following financial breaches during the 2020-21 season.

“I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at Saracens and grateful for the opportunity to have led the rugby programme for so long,” McCall said in a club statement. “I feel the time is right for change, while still remaining deeply involved in the club I care so much about.”

“Mark’s continued involvement was key to me accepting the appointment,” said Venter.

Saracens are currently sixth in the Premiership, 11 points behind leaders Northampton, and will face Bath in a Champions Cup round-of-16 clash in April.

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Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images