South Africa have appointed England technical analyst Joe Lewis in a significant coup ahead of the pair’s meeting in the Nations Championship in July.
It is understood that Lewis, a key figure within Steve Borthwick’s staff, will leave England in June to take up a role under Rassie Erasmus as performance analyst for the Springboks.
The Welshman served as England’s head analyst under Eddie Jones between 2017 and 2021, and has been senior analyst since Borthwick’s appointment in 2022.
His arrival into the Springboks set-up comes ahead of a packed international season that sees South Africa host England, Scotland and Wales in the inaugural Nations Championship, and New Zealand in the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series.
“We are delighted to welcome Joe to the Springbok team,” said Erasmus, South Africa’s head coach.
“Given his vast experience in technical and performance analysis at international and club level, we believe he will add great value to the squad as we prepare for a busy and exciting season, and further ahead to the 2027 RWC.
“His roles have seen him gain invaluable experience at the highest level of the game - at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, in the Six Nations competition, and Autumn Nations Cup, among other big tournaments, and we have no doubt he’ll slot into our set-up seamlessly.”
Erasmus also has former England defence coach Felix Jones on his coaching team. A two-time World Cup winner as an assistant coach, Jones resigned after just seven months working with England to return to the Springboks in 2024.
Lewis’s departure comes after England’s worst-ever Six Nations campaign, with Borthwick’s side suffering four consecutive defeats to finish fifth. A Rugby Football Union (RFU) review process is underway into the tournament and expected to be concluded by late April.
An England XV are expected to face a France XV in Vannes ahead of beginning their Nations Championship campaign at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on 4 July.
