Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter has been given a new job title at Saracens following a dispute over the English club’s media obligations.
According to The Telegraph, Saracens have informed Prem Rugby that the 56-year-old is now their ‘head of rugby culture and wine consultant’, having stepped down as director of rugby last month.
The development comes after Saracens were fined £5,000 (R109,000) for Venter’s absence from a pre-season promotional event.
Prem Rugby regulations require each club’s director of rugby to attend a midweek media session, as well as conduct a short interview and press conference on match days.
Saracens were subsequently handed a suspended £500 (R10,900) fine when Venter did not attend the media session before their opening-round victory against the Leicester Tigers.
The club, however, is disputing the original fine and says head coach Joe Shaw has assumed responsibility for the required media duties.
Venter’s newly defined position will instead see him contribute to Saracens’ culture, values and the wider development of the playing and coaching environment.
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The former Bok has history when it comes to clashes over media commitments.
During his first spell in charge of Saracens, Venter received several fines relating to post-match comments.
That eventually led to a memorable TV interview following a European defeat to Racing Métro in which he gave a series of deliberately brief, deadpan responses inspired by the film Mike Bassett: England Manager.
Throwing it back to the greatest interview in rugby history.
Three cheers for Sireli Bobo! https://t.co/yFykD32LPR pic.twitter.com/SYT5GXcRGh
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) January 23, 2026
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Venter becomes Saracens ‘wine consultant’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former Springbok centre Brendan Venter has been given a new job title at Saracens following a dispute over the English club’s media obligations.
The post Venter becomes Saracens ‘wine consultant’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
