South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus says he’ll make use of assistant Felix Jones’ new information of England and their northern-hemisphere rivals, however denied the Irishman’s short-lived stint at Twickenham was a part of any deliberate ploy.
Jones gained back-to-back Rugby World Cup in South Africa’s set-up earlier than becoming a member of up with England as defence coach in January 2024.
Nevertheless, he stop after solely seven months and his return to South Africa’s workers was introduced final week.
“I do not need folks to suppose it was in any respect a plan to get him over there and are available again once more,” stated Erasmus.
“All of us hoped for him that it will work out and I am unable to touch upon why it did not work out at England. However getting him again is unbelievable, as a result of we by no means needed to lose him.”
Jones beforehand had a remit with South Africa that targeted on assault and core abilities, however Erasmus says the 37-year-old’s time concentrating on defence in a distinct atmosphere would make him a good higher asset to the Springboks.
“Clearly Felix can have realized lots and we’d love him to share a few of these issues with us,” he added.
“We do suppose there are little issues we’ve missed the place we are able to do higher and Felix goes to play a fairly important position in that. There’s not one coach who did not ship me a listing of issues that he needs Felix to be concerned with in in his division.”
England are usually not on South Africa’s 2025 fixture checklist, with the Springboks as a substitute taking part in France, Italy, Eire and Wales on their autumn tour of the northern hemisphere.
“We’re not taking part in England however we are going to sooner or later, and he can have coached in opposition to the opposite Six Nations groups,” added Erasmus.
“We all know precisely what his position goes to be with us and if we do our onerous work first, these small little edges may assist us which Felix will carry.”
England have employed Joe El-Abd as defence coach within the wake of Jones’ departure and shifted their techniques, emphasising coordination over ultra-aggressive line pace.
