Felix Jones Rejoins South Africa Coaching Staff Ahead of World Cup Cycle
Felix Jones has been appointed as an assistant coach for South Africa, joining the team to assist Rassie Erasmus as they prepare for the World Cup. Having previously served as a defense consultant from 2019 to 2023, Jones returns to enhance the coaching staff’s capabilities as they aim to defend their title in 2027.
South Africa has announced the appointment of Felix Jones as an assistant coach, as Rassie Erasmus finalizes his support team for the upcoming World Cup cycle. Jones, who previously served as a defense consultant starting in 2019, played a pivotal role in the Springboks’ success in two consecutive World Cups held in Japan and France.
After a brief and unsatisfactory spell as an assistant coach with England post-2023 World Cup, which culminated in his resignation last August, Jones is returning to the South African coaching staff. He joins his former teammate Jerry Flannery, who recently assumed the position of defense coach for the Springboks.
Erasmus expressed his enthusiasm about Jones’s return, stating, “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 noted Jones’s significant contributions from 2019 to 2023, emphasizing that Jones’s professionalism and work ethic will greatly benefit the coaching staff as they prepare for future challenges. He remarked on Jones’s intimate knowledge of the coaching team and expressed confidence that he will collaborate effectively with Flannery and Tony Brown, who joined last season.
The Springboks are prepared for a demanding international schedule and recognize the need for continual improvement to maintain their status among the world’s elite teams. Erasmus highlighted that Jones’s recent experiences in England and his insights into opposition teams from various tournaments will enhance their strategies. Ultimately, the coaching staff aims to ensure a strong defense of their World Cup title in Australia in 2027.
The upcoming fixture features a United Rugby Championship double-header with Leinster facing Cardiff and Ulster meeting Scarlets on Saturday, airing at 2:30 PM on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
In conclusion, the return of Felix Jones as an assistant coach to the South African rugby team marks a significant strengthening of their coaching staff ahead of the World Cup. His previous success and experience are expected to be instrumental as the Springboks seek to defend their title. Rassie Erasmus and his team aim to continually improve and adapt to maintain their competitive edge in international rugby for the upcoming seasons.
Original Source: www.rte.ie
