Latest news with #FelixJones
The Independent
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
South Africa v Barbarians live: Latest score and updates as Springboks return to action
South Africa are in action for the first time this year as the world champions welcome the Barbarians to Cape Town. Rassie Erasmus has named a strong Springboks side, sprinkling in a few new faces among a spine of the team containing plenty of double World Cup-winners. Jesse Kriel captains the hosts after injury struck Siya Kolisi as they begin an intriguing period in which there will be plenty of chances for Erasmus to rotate, with Italy and Georgia their visitors in this British and Irish Lions year – after a highly successful 2024 followed another World Cup win at the end of 2023, South Africa will hope to continue their success. The arrival of the Baa-Baas always brings a festival feel to proceedings, though there is plenty of talent lurking with the invitational side's squad. Irish icons Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy will make their final bows after announcing retirements, while former All Blacks captain Sam Cane has had a tussle or two with the Springboks in the past and may just have a point to prove. Felix Jones returns to South Africa as new role revealed after England resignation Since then, South Africa have lured back a significant figure in Felix Jones, the England assistant having handed in his notice last summer after a short stint under Steve Borthwick and now back with the Boks. Felix Jones returns to South Africa as new role revealed after England resignation Jones handed in his notice period last August before reaching a settlement to depart Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 14:20 Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks' evolution South Africa are back-to-back world champions for a reason, Rassie Erasmus seemingly always able to keep his side ahead of the game. Last year, I went to find out the secrets behind their next evolution as they set their sights on more success. Siya Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus reveal the secrets behind the Springboks' evolution Double world champions South Africa have transformed into a more attacking side this year as they bid to maintain their place at the top of the rugby world Harry Latham-Coyle28 June 2025 14:05 South Africa vs Barbarians live For the first time in 2025, South Africa are in (sort-of) international action as the Springboks welcome the Barbarians to Cape Town. As ever with the invitational side in black and white hoops, this is a non-capped affair but there are still plenty in the home ranks hoping to prove themselves to Rassie Erasmus in a key rebuilding phase for the world champions. Kick off is at 4.10pm BST. Harry Latham-Coyle27 June 2025 12:31
The Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
BaaBaas clash will be like a Test for Boks — Rassie
Saturday's showdown between the Springboks and Barbarians will have all the intensity of a full-blown international, even though the clash does not enjoy Test match status, SA coach Rassie Erasmus said. With more than 50,000 fans expected to attend the season-opener at the Cape Town Stadium, all eyes will be on the Boks as they prepare for a double-header against Italy in Tshwane on June 6 and Gqeberha a week later. Erasmus said the Boks would play a structured game and avoid getting drawn into the festival-type of running rugby the Barbarians were famous for. He said his team wanted to get through the BaaBaas clash without any mental scars ahead of a busy international campaign. 'We are a team that likes to analyse the opposition,' Erasmus said. 'We always do that, and assistant coach Felix Jones plays a massive role in that, especially in finding out what the opposition's strengths and weaknesses are. 'We can't do this with a Barbarians team, but there are also individuals we know, though they will be very late in announcing some of the individuals that will play for them. 'The thing is, when they get together, you tell them to play what they see and be entertaining. 'If you give them bad kicks, they will rip you apart. 'We will try to play structured in our way and try to get through the game without any mental scars, because that is something that happens if you are in the Barbarian mindset.' Erasmus said the Boks' training camp in Johannesburg had laid a solid platform for Saturday's opener. 'The camp went very well,' he said. 'A few of the younger players are still finding their feet, while the players who have been in the set-up in the last few years have been determined to show that they can maintain their form at this level. 'But we have to be careful about how we approach these first games. 'The moment you say you're going to play around a little bit with selection for the Barbarians, you give the wrong message. 'That's why we want to pick a pretty strong team. It's not a Test match, but it's going to be an excellent spectacle, I believe. 'I'm not sure what the weather in Cape Town will be like, but the game will definitely be of Test-match intensity, with a lot of pressure. 'Everybody's expecting us just to beat Italy. 'But they were really competitive in the first two rounds of the Six Nations and then they ran a little bit low on player depth because they don't have a hell of a lot of players. 'Italy will be very physical and gutsy on defence, so we can't not perform.' The Barbarians have named Sam Cane, the All Blacks' 2023 Rugby World Cup captain, Ireland's Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray as part of the squad for Saturday. O'Mahony played the first of his 114 Tests for Ireland in 2012, captained the side from flanker and was a member of their squad in five Six Nations championship victories. He also played one Test for the British & Irish Lions, against New Zealand in 2017. Murray, like O'Mahony, a stalwart of Irish giants Munster, made his Test debut in 2011, played 125 Tests for Ireland and eight for the British & Irish Lions. The experienced scrumhalf featured in all three Tests against the Boks in Cape Town in 2021, and toured Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017). The Herald
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Felix Jones: ‘Exciting Boks constantly looking to improve'
Felix Jones is back with the Springboks after an ill fated spell as assistant coach with England, and is eager to make a difference. Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones is excited to be back with the team and is looking forward to helping them continue to improve as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Jones was a key member of the Boks' double World Cup winning campaigns in Japan and France, but chose to leave at the end of 2023 due to personal reasons, with his family at the time based in Ireland. He was then brought into the England coaching system under Steve Borthwick, but unfortunately things didn't work out. With Jones available again, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus was quick to snap him back up earlier this year, and he faced the media last week for the first time since his return to the Bok camp. 'It's been really exciting. I get to work with coaches with whom I have a strong relationship. I'm learning a lot from the way they (the Boks) have evolved. From 2019 to 2023 I watched the team change and evolve over that time and coming back in now I can see it has continued,' said Jones. 'That's one of the great strengths of this group, they never stand still. They are constantly looking to improve, and that's one of the most exciting things for me coming back in.' Different environment Having experienced a different team environment in the UK, before joining the Boks in 2019 and after leaving, albeit over a short period, Jones was asked about some of the similarities and differences he had experienced between other teams and the Boks. 'The similarities are that all the players are extremely driven at this level. Anyone that plays international rugby, because they are talented and they have a work ethic and approach to how they conduct themselves. So that is the same,' explained Jones. 'But probably the biggest difference with South Africa in my experience is the diversity with which we call upon people. People from different parts of the country, from different backgrounds, some that are playing rugby in different countries. 'So that's the biggest difference. That we are able to draw upon those different sources, if I can call it that, and trying to boil it all down to one thing is a challenge. But it is also one of the great strengths, and when you get it right it can be quite special.' Jones will likely add plenty to a stacked Bok coaching group, with Erasmus, Deon Davids, Mzwandile Stick and Daan Human having all been together since 2018, and Tony Brown, Jerry Flannery and Duane Vermeulen all new arrivals since 2023.
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks' metamorphosis excites Felix Jones ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup
Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones says the evolution of the team is something that excites him as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Image: BackpagePix Felix Jones is back in South Africa and 'always on the Springbok players' case' regarding their fitness and skills, but that will stand the world champions in good stead as they prepare for a demanding 2025 international season. With another experimental year ahead as they look to fine-tune their squad for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the return of Jones, who coached England for a season, will only aid the Boks, because they brought in someone who understands their systems and knows what it takes to be successful at the international tournament. 🗣️ "Is your output still the same? If you're 35 and you still do it, you can play!" Rassie Erasmus on his mindset when it comes to balancing youth with experience this season ⚖️ — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 21, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Jones, who helped South Africa to back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2023, has hardly been back, but he is keen to add to the Boks' metamorphosis as they continue to build towards the tournament Down Under. 'It's great to see how we've evolved as a team from 2019 to 2023 and coming back you can see that evolution is continuing,' Jones said after his first official training camp with the squad. 'This is one of the great strengths of the team, they don't like to stand still. They are constantly looking to improve. It is one of the most exciting parts of coming back in. I can see the evolution, and that is one of the most thrilling parts. Kicking off the Springbok season in style 🍿 The Barbarians are in town as DHL Stadium hosts the first international match of the season. 🎟️ Tickets still available from Ticketmaster. 📺 Sat 28 June | 16:00 Build-up | 17:10 Kick-off — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 19, 2025 'We know we need to keep growing and improving and are working hard to achieve that on the field. It has been a really exciting time to come back and work with coaches I have a strong relationship with. And learning a lot about the ways we have evolved.' Jones has adopted a roaming role within the world champions' coaching staff and has assisted the coaches in their different departments to get players up to the standard they want them. He oversaw the fitness tests they did the last couple of weeks, and captain Siya Kolisi said jokingly that he pushed them to the limit and it was good for the players. The @Barbarian_FC will announce their final squad in the coming days - if you could bring one of these former #Springboks back, who would it be? 🫡 Don't miss out, grab your tickets now from Ticketmaster South Africa - click here: 🎟 There's rugby ...… — Springboks (@Springboks) June 21, 2025
The South African
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Felix Jones is back with renewed purpose to help Springboks evolve in 2025
Felix Jones talks about his return to Springbok rugby, the team's tactical growth, and the need for continuous evolution. Jones is back in the Springbok camp with fresh energy and a sharper edge after a short coaching stint with England. Reunited with the team he helped steer to two Rugby World Cup titles, Jones is now focused on the next chapter—elevating South Africa's tactical game in a year filled with new challenges. With Italy and Georgia awaiting in the Incoming Series, Jones believes the Springboks must continue to grow, adapt, and innovate if they want to stay ahead of the world's best. 'It's great to be back with the coaches and to see how we've evolved as a team,' said Jones, who played a vital role in South Africa's 2019 and 2023 World Cup triumphs. Jones' return comes at a critical time, with the Springboks launching into a compressed and competitive mid-year campaign. He emphasized the importance of continuing the team's evolution, both tactically and culturally, to remain ahead of global rivals. 'We know we need to keep growing and improving,' Jones said. 'We're working hard to achieve that on the field.' His insight into opposition dynamics, particularly after working abroad, will be instrumental as the Boks prepare for Italy and Georgia in the incoming mid-year series. With Italy showing marked improvement in recent Six Nations campaigns and Georgia known for their set-piece strength, Jones stressed that the Springboks can't afford any complacency. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
