Double Rugby World Cup-winning assistant coach Felix Jones has returned to South Africa’s technical team following a short stint with England, officials said on Thursday, as the Springboks confirmed their home venues for the 2025 season.
Former Ireland international Jones played a vital role in helping the Springboks to their World Cup success in 2019 and 2023 but left to become defence coach with Steve Borthwick’s England after South Africa’s latter triumph in France.
Jones quit inside a year but was asked to see out his notice period, which expired in December.
“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,” Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus said in a statement.
Jones will be one of six assistants to Erasmus, along with former New Zealand international Tony Brown, ex-Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery, Deon Davids, Mzwandile Stick and scrum coach Daan Human.
South African Rugby also confirmed the home test programme for the Springboks this year.
They will play tests against Italy in Pretoria on July 5 and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) a week later, before welcoming Georgia to Nelspruit on July 19.
The two Rugby Championship home fixtures with Australia will be played in Johannesburg on August 16 and the following week in Cape Town.
Their final home fixture in the southern hemisphere competition against Argentina will be in Durban on September 27.
The world champions will be looking to retain the Rugby Championship trophy they won last season.
