Eddie Jones hails Rassie Erasmus as a ‘rugby guru’ but reveals what he ‘didn’t enjoy’ about his coaching innovations
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has sung the praises of Rassie Erasmus, describing him as a “rugby guru” and revealed an aspect of South Africa’s Rugby World Cup-winning boss’ coaching innovations which he “didn’t enjoy”.
Jones is no stranger to South African rugby as he was the Springboks’ technical advisor when they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup as champions at the global showpiece in France in 2007.
Ironically, he replaced Erasmus in that position after the latter was appointed as the Stormers’ director of rugby in 2007.
During his first stint as Japan’s head coach Jones guided the Brave Blossoms to a shock victory over the Boks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and after the completion of that tournament he was appointed as the Stormers’ head coach.
Jones was in that job for just over a week before England came calling and after the RFU paid a compensation fee to the Cape Town-based outfit, he took over the Red Rose’s coaching reins and held that position until 2022.
Lost with England to Boks in 2019 Rugby World Cup final
At the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Jones’ England side lost in the final to South Africa, who were coached by Erasmus.
Since then, Erasmus has guided the Boks to a series victory over the British & Irish Lions in South Africa in 2021, another World Cup triumph in France in 2023 as well as back-to-back Rugby Championship titles in 2024 and 2025.
“I had the pleasure of taking over his computer in the 2007 World Cup, right? He was the technical advisor. And then he went and joined the Stormers,” Jones told the Behind the Ruck podcast.
“I was there a week for (ex-Springboks coach) Jake (White), helping out. And then they offered me the position because I was just in between going to Saracens.
“I’ve never seen such detailed information, you know? And so he (Erasmus) loves rugby.
“He’s a rugby guru. He loves it. He’s prepared to back his ideas and he’s always looking for something new.
‘Showing great initiative’
“But he does the homework, you know? I didn’t enjoy that sort of lineout set-up down the blindside he did (introduced in a Test against Italy in Gqeberha last year). But you’ve got to credit (him), it’s showing great initiative. So, he keeps doing that.
“You know, you go, you play against Italy, you know, you’re going to win the game. So first scrum, let’s go after them.
“So he does the deliberate five-metre kick off. You know, that used to happen 30 years ago in the French league. You know, Montpellier, who had the biggest pack and always kicked the first kick out and then the first scrum, bang, it’s on, big five, here we go.”
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Jones went on to hail Erasmus’ rugby intelligence which he puts to good use when selecting his teams.
“So, I think he’s a really clever, good coach. But I think his great attribute is his selection skill. I think that’s what he’s done better than anyone,” added the 66-year-old.
“Better than anyone. And he’s obviously got good data, good information. But the way he manages those players is outstanding.”
