Springboks make massive change to coaching team

In a noteworthy announcement on Thursday, the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus announced the coaching team for the next cycle concluding with the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

The biggest surprise is the unexpected return of World Cup-winning Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones, who will take on this position once again from 1 March 2025.

Overall there are three new additions to the coaching and management groups, namely Jones – who was a member of the team’s triumphant 2019 and 2023 RWC campaigns – as well as 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.

Jones made the decision to move to England after the 2023 World Cup to be closer to his family in the UK, but the move didn’t prove to be as fruitful as expected, and he will add vast experience to the Bok coaching team once again.

“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.”

Springbok 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

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