Felix Jones joins South Africa as defensive analyst ahead of World Cup campaign

South Africa have hired the services of Felix Jones on a consultancy role for their World Cup campaign that kicks-off next month.

The 32-year-old has already worked under Rassie Erasmus when he worked as backs & attack coach of Munster Rugby with the latter holding the position of the director of rugby in the Irish club. The former fullback has played 13 Tests for Ireland between 2011 and 2015 and has represented Leinster and Munster at club level.

The decision to include Jones in the backroom staff came after Swys de Bruin stepped down from his role as an attack coach.

"I spoke to the players after Swys decided to step down and the consensus was that we didn’t want a new attack coach," said Erasmus.

"The feeling was that bringing in someone in that role now with new ideas now would be destabilising at this last stage of the preparations.

"But they were interested in having more analysis of defensive patterns and structures to assist in breaking down the opposition.

"Felix will bring a fresh eye to our analysis and planning and I am looking forward to his input.

"He is a real student of the game and I believe the players will benefit from his contribution."

South Africa will lock horns with Japan in Kumagaya on 6th October before they begin their World Cup campaign on 21st October against the All Blacks in Yokohama.