Felix Jones will reunite with Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks from March 1, 2025, SA Rugby has confirmed.

Jones returns to the Springboks set-up after a short stint with England in 2024, having joined Steve Borthwick’s coaching team after helping South Africa win back-to-back Rugby World Cups.

The Irishman officially stepped down from his role with England on December 13, 2024, having tendered his resignation after the tour to New Zealand after reportedly being “unhappy with an unstable working environment.”

Felix Jones returns to the Springboks

He has now been re-appointed as Springboks assistant coach for the next cycle which concludes with the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

Springboks head coach Erasmus unveiled the new additions to the management team on Thursday, with Jones being one of the three new additions to the coaching and management groups. He is joined by Lance Lemmetjies, who will join the medical team as one of two physiotherapists from June, and Robyn Moore, as the team dietician from 1 April.

“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,” said Erasmus.

“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.”

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer shared in the excitement in welcoming Jones back to the Bok set-up.

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“We all know the value that Felix added to the team during his time with the Springboks and we are confident his presence will strengthen the coaching group even further,” said Oberholzer.

“The management team behind the scenes plays an equally important role in ensuring that the team functions optimally from a player welfare and operational perspective so that the players have everything they need to perform to the best of their ability on the team, so it’s fantastic that Lance and Robyn are also on board to impart their knowledge and expertise.

“We believe these additions to the team will benefit Rassie and his support staff immensely.”

Springboks management team

Rassie Erasmus: Head Coach
Charles Wessels: General Manager
Tony Brown: Assistant Coach
Deon Davids: Assistant Coach
Jerry Flannery: Assistant Coach
Daan Human: Assistant Coach
Felix Jones: Assistant Coach
Mzwandile Stick: Assistant Coach
Duane Vermeulen: Mobi-Unit Coach
Andy Edwards: Head of Athletic Performance
Jaco Peyper: Laws and Discipline Advisor
Paddy Sullivan: Performance Analyst
Lindsay Weyer: Technical Analyst
Sebastian Prim: Sport Scientist
Dr Jerome Lehlogonolo Mampane: Team Doctor
Dr Anuerin Robyn: Physiotherapist
Lance Lemmetjies: Physiotherapist
JJ Fredericks: Logistics Manager
Zintsika Tashe: Operations Manager
Zeena Isaacs van Tonder: Media Manager
Robyn Moore: Dietician