Felix Jones to make shock Springboks return

Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus is getting the band back together again after announcing that Felix Jones is rejoining his coaching team from the start of next month.

Jones, 37, was a vital cog in the Springbok coaching team that plotted back-to-back World Cup final wins before becoming England’s defence coach because he wanted to be nearer his family.

But after seven months, the former Ireland international said that he had become disillusioned in Steve Borthwick’s set-up but was told he was being held to a 12-month notice period.

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His messy departure was finally confirmed before Christmas, but not until after it emerged that he was conducting “remote analysis” during the Autumn Nations Series without contact with Borthwick or his coaching staff.

Jones had been linked with a return to Ireland as part of Andy Farrell’s coaching staff and as Graham Rowntree’s replacement at his former province Munster, where he played and launched his coaching career.

His return to Erasmus’ technical team next week, on a deal that will run until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, comes as a shock.

“We are delighted to welcome Felix back into the Springbok team, and we are excited to see him pick up where he left off in 2023.

“He was a vital cog in the coaching team from 2019 to 2023, and his experience, professionalism, and excellent work ethic will make him a great addition to the fantastic coaching team we built from the beginning of 2024.

“Felix worked very closely with most of our coaches in the past, and I have no doubt he’ll work equally closely with Jerry (Flannery) and Tony (Brown), who joined us last season.

“After spending some time in England, his experience of working in the UK and studying the opposition teams in the Six Nations and other international tournaments will add immense value in assisting us to adapt and improve as we cast an eye on a tough international season ahead.

“As a team, we are well aware that we need to keep improving and growing if we want to remain one of the best teams in the world and to give ourselves the best possible chance to defend our World Cup title in Australia in 2027.

“And Felix, like all the other coaching and support staff, will play a key role in guiding us to do so,” said a joyful Erasmus in a statement.