London - South Africa will look to crush Japan in their Rugby World Cup opener today but whatever the outcome the Springboks have nothing but respect for opposing coach Eddie Jones.
The ex-Australia coach has a close South African connection, having acted as a consultant in 2007 when the Boks won the World Cup in France.
He was brought in by then coach Jake White to work primarily with the backline and earned widespread recognition and praise for his role.
‘He took the edge off a sometimes strained team dynamic at a time when there were frosty relations between some players and White,’ revealed a South African team official this week.
With nine players left over from the victorious 2007 squad, it’s clear Jones is venerated by many of the South Africans.
Winger Bryan Habana said: ‘I have massive respect for Eddie as a coach and for what he has done for Japan, and the level of professionalism in their rugby that has increased dramatically over the last years.’
South Africa: Kirchner; Habana, Kriel, De Villiers (captain), Mvovo; Lambie, Pienaar; Mtawarira, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, De Jager, Matfield, Louw, Alberts, Burger.
Daily Mail