South Africa's national rugby team, the Springboks, has added Joe Lewis, a former senior analyst for England, to its coaching staff. The move comes just ahead of England's Nations Championship opener against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Lewis, who worked closely with England head coach Steve Borthwick and specialized in set-piece, defense, and breakdown analysis, has been privy to England's tactical meetings since 2017. His departure from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) followed a family bereavement during the Christmas period, leading to his resignation in April.
South Africa's head coach, Rassie Erasmus, known for his strategic acumen, has integrated Lewis into his 'Foreign Legion' coaching team. This group includes expertise from various international rugby backgrounds, with the aim of securing a third consecutive World Cup title. Erasmus expressed the value of this diverse approach, stating, "There’s power in knowing what other teams know. The players learn things in the Japanese league. Thomas du Toit plays for Bath and tells us things that he learns. There’s no way an international team can be better if they just hide everything and have their own guys."
Lewis's transition to the Springboks was facilitated by Felix Jones, who previously served as England's defense analyst and is now part of the South African coaching setup. Lewis has reportedly already made multiple presentations to the Springbok squad, sharing his insights into England's strategies, including potential vulnerabilities in their lineout calls. This knowledge could compel England's coaching staff, led by Borthwick, to adapt their game plan.
According to former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, who previously worked with Lewis, his analytical approach is distinct. Biggar described Lewis as an "on-pitch analyst" who provides real-time feedback to players during training sessions, a method that sets him apart from many of his peers. Lewis's familiarity with the English team's tactical philosophy and knowledge of players who may be less familiar to the Springboks are expected to be invaluable.
Borthwick has appointed Matt Egan, an analyst from Leicester, to replace Lewis. The recruitment of Lewis by the Springboks is seen as a significant strategic move by Erasmus, potentially increasing the challenge for England in their upcoming match. Erasmus believes that his assembled coaching team, now including Lewis, provides a strong foundation for the Springboks' continued success.