The Golden Lions Rugby Union, has this morning (Saturday, 17 October 2009) appointed a new Director of Coaching, after lengthy board discussions were held on Friday afternoon and evening.

Dick Muir, former Sharks coach, and current Springbok Backline Coach has been appointed the Director of Coaching for a three year term, beginning on Monday, 2 November 2009 when the Auto & General Super 14 Lions squad begin training ahead of the 2010 Vodacom Super 14.

Muir, a former Sharks and Springbok player made his international Test debut for the Springboks in 1997. In the same year, Muir was an SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee. Since his playing days came to an end, Muir has been very involved in coaching, and was Head Coach of the Sharks team that made the final of the Super 14 in 2007.

Following his time at the Sharks, Muir was appointed as the Assistant and Backline Coach for the Springboks in 2008, and Coach of the Emerging Springboks in 2009. Earlier this year, the first Investec International Rugby Academy in South Africa was launched, which was led by Muir.

 Muir was a part of the coaching staff that saw the Springboks clinch the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour victory as well as the Tri-Nations trophy.

 “We are honoured to have a coach of Muir’s knowledge, experience and caliber joining the Golden Lions Rugby Union”, GLRU CEO Manie Reyneke said. “We are very fortunate with the quality of applications we received, each of which had their own dynamic expertise and passion for the game of rugby, but at the end of the day, the board felt that Muir emerged as the candidate best suited to coaching the team”.

Muir will continue with his involvement with SA Rugby and will remain as their Assistant and Backline Coach while taking over the role of Director of Coaching at the GLRU.

“We’ve seen some big changes at the Union over the past year, and we are convinced that with the appointment of Muir, this is just one more change and step in the right direction”, Reyneke concluded.