Former Munster and Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery leaving Harlequins to become Springboks defence coach

Currently a coach at Harlequins, the Limerick native previously worked with Erasmus at Munster and was identified as the man to replace Jacques Nienaber as the defence coach for the world champion Springboks.

In confirming that Erasmus would take on a more hands-on role as he aims to win a third successive World Cup, SA Rugby said that Flannery would be part of a re-jigged coaching ticket. His last match for Harlequins will be a friendly against Munster later this month before he's unveiled early next month in Cape Town.

Speaking to the Harlequins website, Flannery explained his decision.

“I have loved my time at Harlequins working alongside a talented young group of coaches and players," he said.

"The opportunity to move into international rugby and to work alongside Rassie Erasmus again after our time at Munster was very appealing and I would like to thank Harlequins for supporting my desire to take up this opportunity to develop my career.

"I look forward to the next few weeks with Harlequins and a final home match at a sold-out Stoop in February."

The appointment keeps some continuity between Erasmus’ time with Munster, given Nienaber headed to Leinster after the World Cup win and Felix Jones has joined England.

Former Highlanders and Japan attack coach Tony Brown is also on board in what is a significant coup, given how highly the New Zealander is rated.

England assistant Kevin Sinfield could be the man to replace Flannery at Quins, where he’s been since leaving Munster in 2019.

It’s been a successful stint for the 2009 Grand Slam winner, who was forced to retire from playing in 2012 and was part of the Quins set-up that won the English Premiership in 2021.

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He is a permanent member of the Quins staff, but this opportunity was too good to turn down.

Flannery has other business interests outside rugby and may be able to remain based in Europe for most of the year, as Jones was during the second half of his stint with South Africa.

The former Munster full-back, a close friend of Flannery, combined his coaching with acting as a scout and liaison for the South African players playing in Europe.

Erasmus, currently recuperating in hospital after suffering serious burns in an accident, said he'd already convened a meeting of his coaching team, which also has Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, Daan Human and Andy Edwards for continuity from the last cycle.

“It is a massive honour to coach the Springboks, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me,” he said.

“The main difference between the last four years and this season is that I will be more hands-on at the field sessions.

“In my role as Director of Rugby in the last four years, I continued to oversee the team structures and strategy in conjunction with Jacques and the other coaches, so it should be an easy transition back into the head coach role.