Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus says that Felix Jones will be a ‘valuable asset’ to SA Rugby with the Irishman returning from a brief stint with England.
Jones first linked up with the Springboks ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, filling Swys de Bruin’s void in the coaching team.
He would remain with South Africa, helping the side win back-to-back Rugby World Cups and a British & Irish Lions series, before deciding to join Steve Borthwick’s England coaching set-up after the 2023 global tournament.
Felix Jones returns to the Springboks
However, his stint with England did not last long as he tendered his resignation after the tour to New Zealand and, after being linked with multiple roles, it was revealed that he would be returning to Erasmus’ team ahead of the 2025 international season.
Speaking in Cape Town on Wednesday, Erasmus explained that he didn’t want to lose the former Ireland back to another nation but understood his reasonings as his family was based in Ireland.
However, he is excited by Jones‘ return, with the Boks head coach and SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer revealing the scope of his new role in the Springboks structures.
Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery were brought into the Boks’ coaching team last year, filling the void of Jones and Jacques Nienaber and, with the former returning, his new position will see him work with multiple SA Rugby teams.
“He’ll be in charge of the player roadmaps and gathering all that information for us, as well as running the extras before and after training, so we plan to use him in all the different departments within our coaching matrix,” Erasmus revealed as he provided more detail on Jones’ role.
“He can assist Mzwandile Stick with the off-the-ball work, and all the other coaches with general tactics and detail in their respective departments, while he’ll also play a big role in the administrative side of things, so he has a lot on his plate.”
Oberholzer added: “Felix will also work with the Junior Springboks and Springbok Women so that we can ensure a standardisation in the way things operate at the Springboks and our other national teams, which means he will also work very closely with our High-Performance Department headed up by Dave Wessels.
“This arrangement will certainly benefit all our national teams, and we are excited to see what he brings to the table once again at all of those levels.”
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Jones rolls up his sleeves
The Irishman has already rolled up his sleeves and got to work along with fellow assistant coach Flannery as he linked up with his fellow countryman at the Sharks in Durban this week.
“South African rugby holds a special place in my heart and having the opportunity to be involved again with this world-class team that is working towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, is something I’m very appreciative of,” said Jones.
“I’m eager to contribute to the culture and continued success of the Boks, and I’d like to thank Rassie and the entire SA Rugby leadership for their trust in me.
Springboks fans are all saying the same thing after Felix Jones’ return to Rassie Erasmus’ team
“I also look forward to reuniting with our coaching team – nearly all of whom I have worked very closely, with including Jerry going back to Munster when I first started working with Rassie and Jacques (Nienaber, former Springbok head coach).
“Having coached against Tony (Brown) and having followed his work over many years, I now look forward to collaborating with him as well.”
Jones added: “The team evolved significantly from 2019 to 2023, and it has already began evolving again, and I aim to help this team grow even further. My family and I are also looking forward to settling into South Africa soon before entering what is sure to be a challenging season on the field.”
READ MORE: Springboks: Rassie Erasmus confirms 15th fixture in one of the longest seasons ever
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/felix-jones-handed-more-responsibilities-on-springboks-return-after-rassie-erasmus-didnt-want-to-lose-him
