There was a time when the mere mention of the name Eddie Jones sent Springbok fans into fits of hysterical anger, and sentences usually ending with 'that bloody Aussie... '

But since November 2007, South African fans are looking at the diminutive Australian in a whole new light. Helping the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup can do that for a fellow...

When Jones joined the Springboks — at the request of then Bok coach Jake White — in 2007, it turned out to be an inspired move with the Australian proving to be an integral part of the Bok set-up.

Many South African fans, rightly or wrongly, credit Jones with the turnaround shown by the Springboks after he came on board as the team's technical advisor, but after being in charge of the Wallabies for more than four years, Jones seemed more than happy to deflect attention away from himself and onto the other members of the Bok coaching staff.

It also gave him a chance to concentrate simply on the rugby, as he tells sport.iafrica.com in an exclusive interview.

"When you're the head coach there's a lot of different pressures than when you're the technical advisor," reveals Jones.

"I came at the end of the campaign with the Springboks, it was just pure rugby for me, all I had to worry about was the coaching side and Jake (White) took care of all the rest."

He adds: "From an enjoyment point of view it was very high in my rugby career. Obviously, being the head coach of your country's national team carries different pressures, but there is also the honour and prestige of being in that position — so they are two completely different experiences.

"But the last was extremely enjoyable — especially working with a good bunch of coaches and very intelligent and humble players."

After being involved in Australian rugby for so many years, Jones undoubtedly brought a new dimension to the Bok camp. More importantly, however, having spent so many years analysing and plotting our weaknesses, he was a huge catch for Jake White.

The former Bok coach and his players always spoke glowingly of the Australian's abilities. And Jones — who is now in charge of English club Saracens, which is why he found himself in our country this week — was as impressed with the South Africans as they were with him.

"I don't think I have coached a more powerful or physically capable side; you had pace and power right across the board," enthuses Jones.

"Secondly, the skill levels of the side was also exceptional," he adds.

"You had guys like Os du Randt and CJ van der Linde in the front row, who could handle the ball as well as anyone, and then there is also the intellectual ability in the side with guys like (Victor) Matfield and (John) Smit and (Butch) James and Jean de Villiers, all of whom are very bright guys who think about the game very deeply and come up with good strategies to solve any problems."

However, as we all know, whilst most of the World Cup-winning squad remains, the RWC-winning Bok management team is no more. Head coach White is in rugby limbo, Gert Smal (forwards coach) is now with the Ireland national team, whilst backline mentor Allister Coetzee is currently coaching at the Stormers and Western Province.

So what does Jones think of the current state of SA rugby — post-World Cup?

"After you win a trophy you have to find your feet again, it is totally acceptable that after a World Cup the next year will be difficult — it is a new beginning," says Jones.

"And in South Africa's case it was a new coach, some new players and a new set of laws. They just couldn't continue as they were, that just wasn't going to be the situation.

"At the end of the day you look at their results and they beat New Zealand in New Zealand and beat Australia by 50 points and I feel they are starting to find their feet again, they are starting to find the winning equilibrium in the team — the balance between being adventurous and doing the basics of the game."

And looking ahead, Jones concludes: "I think (you will see) over the next 12 to 24 months, South Africa will get stronger and stronger.

"Again, the talent of the players is there and most of those guys who were involved in the World Cup are still at the peak of their playing powers and are yet to reach the peak of their playing powers."

  • Exclusive: On Monday, we track down the Springbok matchday 22 from the Rugby World Cup Final in France! They stood atop the rugby world in 2007, but where are they now?

    Print this page
    Send this article to a friend
    RSS
       Digg
    de.li.cious
    facebook