Springboks legends debate how ‘intense’ Felix Jones will work alongside ‘free-spirited’ Tony Brown
Felix Jones alongside fellow Springboks coach Jerry Flannery and South Africa legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger.
Former captain Jean de Villiers believes that Felix Jones’ return is “brilliant” for the Springboks and expects him to settle into his new role immediately.
It is a slightly different coaching staff to the one he left with Jacques Nienaber departing and Tony Brown and former team-mate Jerry Flannery joining post-Rugby World Cup, but it remains an immensely talented backroom group.
Jones, who was initially part of the South Africa set-up between 2019 and 2023, will only add to its knowledge base having rejoined following his short stint with England.
The 37-year-old left the Boks for personal reasons as he wanted to work closer to home, with the Red Rose offering him the chance to do that.
England resignation and why Jones returned
However, he only lasted a few months in the job as the ex-Munster and Ireland back resigned in August 2024, reportedly citing an “unstable working environment” under Steve Borthwick as the reason for his decision.
Jones officially left in December and has now returned to South Africa, this time with the family according to De Villiers, with the ex-full-back very much committing fully to Rassie Erasmus’ team.
“It’s brilliant to get him back. It will be interesting to see how he goes with Tony Brown, how that relationship works out because obviously they might think a little bit different. But having all of those voices will be brilliant,” the former Boks skipper said on the Boks Office podcast.
“My question was that he left South Africa because he wanted to be based in the UK or Ireland for his family, but what has changed now?
“But I heard that they’re actually relocating here, his family’s relocating here – I think his son’s coming to Bishops – so then it makes sense.”
With Jones coming into a slightly changed Springboks set-up, it could prove to be a different dynamic within the coaching staff, but he is joining an already very successful group.
Tony Brown’s influence
They have pushed on since that World Cup triumph in 2023, thanks in part to Brown’s influence, with them winning 11 of their 13 games in 2024 and finishing the year at the top of the World Rugby rankings.
South Africa also claimed the Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019 and they will look to build on that success in 2025.
“I love Felix Jones but Tony Brown’s quite a free-spirited coach. You want to have that freedom,” De Villiers’ former team-mate and fellow panellist on the show, Schalk Burger, said.
“The fact that he is so chilled brings a different element into that coaching staff because I know Felix, Jerry and Rassie can get quite intense.
“Having that relaxed point of contact is quite important. I don’t think Tony will be upset.”
