EX-Springbok Zane Kirchner has been appointed as the new backline assistant coach of Uganda’s national team after he walked away from his job as the boss of the South Western District Eagles earlier this year.
On Monday, the Uganda Rugby Football Union announced in a statement that the former Vodacom Bulls fullback had been appointed as their new backline coach.
The statement reads:
The Uganda Rugby Union is pleased to announce former South African international Zane Kirchner, who joins the technical team of the national XVs side, The Rugby Cranes.
Kirchner joins as a backs coach and will work closely with the existing setup, which is led by head coach Fred Mudoda and assistants Leonard Lubambula (backs), Timothy Mudoda (strength & conditioning) and Marvin Odongo (forwards).
His appointment comes on the recommendation of national team consultant Nollis Marais, who was engaged earlier in the year to support the Rugby Cranes’ technical and tactical development.
Kirchner’s primary focus will be working with the backs unit, as the team intensifies preparations for the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, which doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Walk-Out
Meanwhile, Kirchners’ decision to quit as head coach of the SWD Eagles ahead of a SA Cup game against the Boland Cavaliers on 29 March, came as a huge shock after the former Bok took over the reigns in 2024 to try and revive the George-based team’s fortunes.
However, rumours of a mutiny with assistant coaches working against Kirchner started doing the rounds, although SWD insiders have refuted it, with some even claiming the form Bok was ‘out of his depth’ as a head coach.
The SWD decided to appoint former Eagles head coach, Johan Lerm, who was brought in to assist Kirchner, as the interim boss until the end of the season.
But under Lerm the Eagles’ fortunes have not changed as they ended the SA Cup campaign in second last place, with just one win (against the Border Bulldogs) and eight losses.
Grateful
And while his former team struggles, Kirchner has a new lease on life after his former head coach at the Bulls, Nollis Marais, convinced the Ugandan to bring the retired player on board.
Kirchner, won back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2009 and 2010 with Marais as head coach, says of his appointment at the Rugby Cranes:
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the Uganda Rugby Cranes. I’ve been following the growth of rugby in Uganda, and I am excited to contribute to that journey. The talent is real, and I am looking forward to working with the players and coaching team to help unlock the next level.
Uganda open their Rugby Africa Cup campaign against Kenya in July.
