JUST WHEN SOUTH Africans thought they’d seen the last of Eddie Jones, the Japan head coach has announced he’s moving there following the World Cup.
After masterminding the sensational 34-32 win against the Springboks on Saturday, it was confirmed today that the Aussie has been appointed as head coach of the Cape Town-based Super Rugby franchise Stormers.
After three years in charge, Jones had already announced his decision to step down from his post in Japan following the World Cup, and has been snapped up by former Irish assistant coach Gert Smal, who is now Director of Rugby at the Western Province.
Jones was a technical advisor for the Springboks in 2007 when they won the World Cup and says that his past experiences in the country made the move all the more enticing.
“I am a coach that enjoys a challenge and I see this job as a huge challenge, but one that excites me tremendously,” he told Stormers’ official website.
“Having worked with the Springboks in 2007, and in the process working closely with people like Gert Smal, Allister Coetzee, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger, it gave me a brief taste of what Stormers rugby and Western Cape rugby is all about.
“I am well aware of the responsibilities that come with this job, one of the biggest franchise jobs in world rugby, but I am also excited about the talent available in the DHL Stormers squad and the potential of this playing squad.
“This is a challenge I am looking forward to.”
The man he’s replacing – Allister Coetzee – will be moving in the opposite direction, as he takes over Japanese club Kobe Steel.
