VIDEO: 'He is copying a Bok style of defence'
WATCH as the Boks Office crew try to wrap their heads around Felix Jones’ role within Steve Borthwick’s England coaching group.
The former Ireland international joined England after helping the Springboks defend their World Cup title in France last year.
His first big role was helping England beat Italy 27-24 in their Six Nations opener in Rome over the weekend.
However, in conversation with Boks Office host Hanyani Shimange, Springbok legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers questioned Borthwick’s decision to hand the defensive reins to Jones.
“Last year they [England] played to their strengths. They had the best defence at the World Cup and best kicking game at the World Cup.,” said Burger.
“This year, we all see Felix Jones is going across there and I thought what a great job he did with our Springbok attack from 2018 to 2023.
“We all have massive respect for Felix – his work ethic and how he coaches the attack.
“All of a sudden he pops up on screen as a defence coach and he is copying a Bok style of defence.
“If you look at the highlights there was one horror clip with Tommaso Allan’s try. Five guys on the blind, three guys at the ruck and a second pass takes out 12 English defenders and they got a four-on-one with Elliot Daly.
“There’s a lot of work [to do] in that defensive system.”
De Villiers was also left confused by what he saw.
“England starts anew this year. They see what Felix has done with the Boks. You employ him, but you employ him for something totally different.
“On what basis do you get a guy like that if he is going to fulfil a role that that you haven’t seen him do?
“Or is it based on what he has done at Munster?
“It’s a weird one.”
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