Boks lose assistant coach to England
The Springboks will lose one of their assistant coaches - Irishman Felix Jones - to rivals England after 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The RFU announced the appointment on Thursday, with Jones joining England in 2024 after the completion of the Rugby World Cup.
Jones has been an integral part of the Springbok camp, and was in charge of keeping tabs on the Springboks playing in Europe, while also studying the opposition for both Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber during their tenures as Springbok coach. Jones also had a hand in the attacking game of the Boks.
The link-up came after Jones assisted Erasmus and Nienaber during their stint at Munster and it was expected he would move on after the World Cup.
?????????? ???????????? ??
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 30, 2023
Welcome Felix ??
Jones represented Ireland 23 times during 2007 and 2015 and then became assistant coach at Munster before joining the Springboks.
The former Ireland fullback’s coaching stint with the Springboks so far has seen him assist the team to Rugby World Cup glory, as well as a series victory over the British & Irish Lions.
“It’s a big loss for the Springboks to lose a coach of Felix’s calibre,” said Erasmus.
“While we are saddened by the decision, we know how difficult it was for him to make that call and we fully understand the reasons. He’s been an asset to the Springboks in the last few years and the way he has evolved in his role and willingly took on additional responsibilities to ensure that the team functioned as optimally as possible in his areas of expertise, has been admirable.
“We know Felix will remain fully committed to the Springboks’ cause and give everything as we attempt to defend our Rugby World Cup title in France, and hopefully we can make it a special and memorable send-off for him later this year.”
'COMMITMENT TO SPRINGBOKS UNQUESTIONABLE'
Jones said his time with the Springboks will always remain one of the highlights of his career.
“Coaching the Springboks is one of the biggest privileges in rugby and I intend to do everything I can to ensure the team is successful until the day my contract comes to its natural end,” said Jones.
“The last four years has been an incredible journey for me and my family, both professionally and personally, I am indebted to so many people at the Springboks and in South Africa for that.
“My commitment to the Springboks until the end of the Rugby World Cup is unquestionable, and Rassie, Jacques (Nienaber – Springbok head coach) and the entire Springbok team know that.
“The next five months are going to be exciting and demanding, and I’m looking forward to preparing for the World Cup with this coaching team.”
#Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones, who is due to leave SA Rugby later this year, is still fully committed to the Boks' #RWC2023 cause - more here: https://t.co/9A3s6NjLBA ??#StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/E49HTxAZMP
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 30, 2023
Borthwick said the appointment was part of England’s long-term focus.
“Our immediate focus is on preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2023. We are continuing to build our programme to be in a position to compete to be world champions once again.
"At the same time, I also want to ensure we are preparing for long term success for this England team and I am excited that a coach as talented as Felix is joining next year.
"Felix has been competing at the top of world rugby during his four years with South Africa and will bring invaluable experience to our set up. Like with Aled Walters, Felix was an integral part of the team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
"Together with Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield, we are putting in place a coaching team who have spent their careers at the highest level competing for trophies. That is exactly what we want for this England team”.
Richard Wigglesworth, assistant coach and Aled Walters, head of strength and conditioning will join Steve Borthwick and defence coach Kevin Sinfield at the end of the Premiership season. Recruitment is now underway for a new forwards coach and additional specialist coaches will be brought in to support the England team during the preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
England previously also had another of the Boks 2019 World Cup winning coaching team, with Matt Proudfoot being Eddie Jones’s forwards coach during Jones’s tenure that ended late last year.
Advertisement