Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has admitted that the appointment of former England analyst Joe Lewis has given South Africa an edge ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with England at Ellis Park.
Lewis joined the Springboks after working with England during this year’s Six Nations, following the arrival of former England assistant Felix Jones in the world champions’ coaching set-up.
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‘Without a doubt’
When asked if Lewis’ knowledge of England was an advantage, Erasmus had no hesitation in his response.
“Without a doubt [it is an advantage],” Erasmus said on Monday. “It is like when [assistant coach] Matthew Proudfoot moved away from us in 2019 and the next year we played England.
“There’s a guy called Byron McGuigan and he spent a whole week with us as Sale Sharks coach and I am pretty sure he has a lot of stuff.
“Eddie Jones moved from England to Australia and then Australia to Japan so obviously some IP gets transferred and it is the same with Joe.”
Why the Springboks hired Lewis
Erasmus revealed the Springboks had already been looking to strengthen their analysis department before Lewis became available.
“We always had only one analyst but when you look at any of the tier-one nations some have five and I think the French have got eight guys. I know England also have a lot.
“We were looking for another analyst and Joe was available. Obviously we scan everywhere.
“Paddy [Sullivan] is an Irishman but he worked in the French league a lot so you get some good info and some good things that they do in the league analysis-wise.
“If you get a guy of his calibre available it is just fantastic to have him here and he was available.”
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Loosehead Prop
Ellis Genge – The powerful English loosehead prop captains Bristol Bears and is known for his aggressive ball-carrying and leadership for England.
Ox Nche – South African World Cup winner Ox Nche has become a cornerstone of the Sharks and Springbok scrum thanks to his exceptional set-piece strength.
Andrew Porter – Ireland and Leinster standout Andrew Porter combines relentless work rate with impressive mobility for a front-row forward.
Angus Bell – One of Australia’s brightest young talents, Angus Bell represents the Waratahs after returning from a sabbatical with Ulster and has quickly established himself as the Wallabies’ first-choice loosehead.
Hooker
Malcolm Marx – The South African hooker plays for Kubota Spears in Japan and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best breakdown forwards.
Dan Sheehan – Leinster and Ireland star Dan Sheehan brings pace, athleticism and try-scoring ability rarely seen from a hooker.
Codie Taylor – A veteran of New Zealand rugby, Codie Taylor continues to provide leadership and accuracy for the Crusaders and All Blacks.
Julien Marchand – France captain on occasion and a key figure for Toulouse, Marchand is renowned for his all-round excellence at hooker.
Tighthead Prop
Tadhg Furlong – The experienced Irish tighthead remains a crucial player for Leinster and Ireland, blending scrummaging power with remarkable handling skills.
Joe Heyes – Leicester Tigers prop Joe Heyes has steadily developed into a reliable option for England in the front row.
Thomas du Toit – South Africa’s Thomas du Toit currently plays for Bath, although is set to leave ahead of next season, and offers versatility across both sides of the scrum.
Wilco Louw – The Bulls and South Africa prop has rebuilt his international career through dominant performances in the set piece.
Second Row
Maro Itoje – England captain Maro Itoje, who plays for Saracens, is famous for his athleticism, lineout expertise and defensive disruption.
Eben Etzebeth – The towering South African lock represents the Sharks and holds the Springbok appearance record, reflecting his longevity and influence.
Will Skelton – Australian giant Will Skelton captains La Rochelle and uses his immense size to dominate collisions and set pieces.
Emmanuel Meafou – Born in New Zealand but representing France, the Toulouse lock is a physically imposing presence around the field.
Tadhg Beirne – Munster’s Tadhg Beirne is valued by Ireland for his versatility, breakdown work and ability to play both lock and flanker.
Ruan Nortje – Bulls captain Ruan Nortje has emerged as a dependable second-row option for South Africa through consistent performances.
