After leaving Saracens in 2011, Venter, who won the Rugby World Cup as a player with South Africa in 1995, worked in roles with Durban-based club side the Sharks, as well as with Italy and South Africa.
The changes to his job title since his return to north London, which reportedly included a stint as the club’s wine consultant that lasted a matter of days,, external appeared to be an attempt to escape his media obligations.
Prem Rugby rules require the most senior coach in every club to carry out routine media duties.
Their job titles can vary. Rob Baxter is Exeter’s director of rugby. George Skivington is Gloucester’s head coach. But as the principle decision-maker for their team, both answer questions each week.
Venter claimed in a weekend interview with TNT Sport, the broadcaster who pays £40m a season for action and access to the Prem, that decisions over team selection are done on the basis of a consensus, rather than any single person having a final say.
Regardless, it is expected the Venter will continue to face the media for the rest of the campaign.
Venter added that, despite his reservations, he had been tempted back by a love of coaching and the high-intensity dressing room environment.
“I love coaching rugby. I love working with players. It is a privilege we get as human beings to be in a position where we can influence things, both good and bad,” he added.
“People in life rarely get that privilege.
“It’s a phenomenal game to be a part of and that’s why when [Saracens owner] Dominic [Silvester] asked me, I agreed to come back.
“You make friends like you never make in your life. When there are good times and difficult times, it builds character. I’m privileged enough to be doing that on a daily basis.”
Venter did not win any silverware during his first stint in charge of Saracens. His side lost to Leicester in the 2010 Premiership final, a match Venter was banned from as part of a touchline suspension.
However, he left behind a formidably talented and closely bonded squad who would win multiple domestic and European honours under McCall in the following decade.
In behind-the-scenes footage of Venter’s speech to his squad at the start of pre-season, he set out his ambition to contend for the Prem title.
“I promise you I don’t want to be competitive in this league. I want to dominate,” he said.
“This is not a team with a ceiling, this is something special, I have not come all this way to be average.”
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