England coach lined up by Harlequins to replace Springboks-bound guru – report

Harlequins are reportedly drawing up a shortlist of candidates to replace Springboks-bound coach Jerry Flannery.

Flannery has been recruited by Rassie Erasmus to run the Springboks defence following the departure of former head coach Jacques Nienaber.

Harlequins confirmed that the friendly match against Munster on February 23 will be the ex-Ireland hooker’s final game with the side.

The Premiership side have reportedly targeted outgoing England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield.

Sinfield to join Harlequins?

Flannery is to start his role with South Africa as soon as possible with upcoming alignment camps ahead of the Tests against Ireland and Portugal fast approaching

The Times reports that Sinfield will be ‘considered’ for Harlequins‘ initial shortlist, but the Premiership club have yet to approach him.

The rugby league legend is set to vacate his role in Steve Borthwick’s coaching team after the July internationals against New Zealand and Japan, with many suggesting that Mike Catt could be added to run the attack with ex-Springbok coach Felix Jones currently in charge of defence – however, no reports or indication that this is the case have surfaced.

Sinfield wants to remain in coaching but prefers the day-to-day schedule of a club side instead of the international windows with the Test teams. He also suggested that a return to rugby league is unlikely.

Harlequins are likely to take their time with a replacement, with current coaches Billy Millard, Danny Wilson, Nick Evans, Adam Jones, Jordan Turner-Hall and director of performance Tabai Matson covering for Flannery’s absence.

“We will be sorry to see Jerry go as he is a big character and can be very proud of his achievements at Harlequins,” director of rugby Millard said.

“We wish him well as he moves into international rugby and continues to develop his career. He will always be welcome at The Stoop. For the rest of this season we have a very strong group of coaches and are very fortunate to have assistant defence coach Jordan Turner-Hall with us, and the resources and structure to achieve our goals.”

Flannery and Erasmus

Flannery is set to reunite with Erasmus, whom he worked with at Munster. The Springboks head coach has also added former All Blacks fly-half and ex-Japan assistant coach Tony Brown as the attack coach.

Ex-Springbok forward Duane Vermeulen will also take up a ‘roving role’ in the SA Rugby systems and could fulfil some of Erasmus’ duties as director of rugby, a position that could become obsolete as SA rugby restructure.

The rest of the Springboks coaching staff that successfully defended their Rugby World Cup title is retained with Mzwandile Stick, Daan Human and Deon Davids remaining in the same roles that fulfilled under Nienaber.

Interestingly, Erasmus has also recruited former referee Jaco Peyper as the ‘National Laws advisor’.

South Africa kick off their 2024 season with two Test matches against Ireland and a one-off clash against Portugal. The world champions are also set to return to Twickenham this year with a clash against England in November, while reports suggest that they could also collide with Wales at the home of English rugby.

READ MORE: Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks staff unveiled: Duane Vermeulen, ex-All Black and Ireland stars included