Sport | Springbok World Cup guru Felix Jones returns as assistant coach

Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones. (Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images)

• The Springboks have confirmed the return of Felix Jones as assistant coach.
• The former Ireland fullback will join the world champions for a second stint after a short tenure with England.
• The Boks also named Lance Lemmetjies as physiotherapist and Robyn Moore as dietician.
• For more news on the Springboks, visit our dedicated section.

The Springboks on Thursday confirmed the return of Felix Jones as assistant coach.

Jones, who was a key part of the Bok setup when they won the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, recently had a short stint in the England camp.

Jones, 37, will be back with the Boks on a full-time basis from 1 March.

READ | Rassie invites 56, including veteran Deon Fourie, to first Bok camp of 2025

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus unveiled his management team for the season, with Lance Lemmetjies to join the medical team as one of two physiotherapists from June, while Robyn Moore will join as team dietician from 1 April.

SA Rugby said the trio’s appointments would run until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Erasmus welcomed the attack and defence guru Jones’ return to the Bok fold.

“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,” Erasmus said.

Meanwhile Lemmetjies, currently the Bulls’ physiotherapist, will rejoin the Boks after spending time with the squad during the British & Irish Lions Series in 2021 and serving in the role during the South Africa A tour in 2022.

Moore has also worked directly with the Springboks for the last few seasons.

Erasmus added: “Robyn is a highly qualified professional holding a Masters Degree from the University of Pretoria with graduate qualifications (BSc Dietetics) from the University of Stellenbosch.

“All three individuals are extremely hard workers, and they’ve worked with many of the players before, so we are confident they will slot in with ease.”

The Bok coaches will host their first in-person planning block for the year from Friday, 7 March followed by an alignment camp with 56 players in Cape Town from Monday, 10 March. This will be followed by two virtual alignment camps with the Japanese and European-based players and a handful of talented and injured domestic players on Wednesday, 27 March.