Former Munster star turned coach Jerry Flannery took up a place on Rassie Erasmus' coaching ticket in February 2024, rekindling his relationship with the South African boss who he'd worked under in Munster.
Flannery made the move to fill a hole left by former defence coach Jacques Nienaber, who assumed a place on Leo Cullen's Leinster coaching ticket at the beginning of this season.
While for Nienaber the move may have been somewhat easier, Flannery's family situation made his move from London to South Africa somewhat more complicated.
Before the move Flannery had been coaching on the other side of the Irish Sea with Harlequins, playing a role in their Premiership success in 2021. However, that was a role which required an entirely different commitment than his current one.
13 July 2024; South Africa head of athletic performance Andy Edwards, left, and defence coach Jerry Flannery before the second test between South Africa and Ireland at Kings Park in Durban, South Africa. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Jerry Flannery details the sacrifice required to take South African Job
Unlike most conventional rugby posts, the nature of rugby in South Africa means that the international training squad have no fixed abode but rather travel and play from city to city.
While Flannery's family were based in England while he worked with Harlequins, the fluid work situation offered by Rassie Erasmus allows a lot of remote work - which for Flannery has meant that his wife and three kids can remain in Ireland while he travels to South Africa when necessary.
Charlie Morgan of The Telegraph
When Felix did this job, he operated the same way I’m operating. His family were back in Ireland and he travelled out for camps and games. A lot of the stuff we do online. It sounds like a weird scenario but it’s not. Rassie gives coaches autonomy and trusts you, so you work hard for him.
My kids have just started school in Ireland, so we’ll stay in Ireland for a year or so and then we might look at coming out. We’ll see. It’s not like we train at Pennyhill like England and could have rented an apartment close by. We’ll be in Mbombela, we’ll be in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria. The Springboks move around the country because it’s important for everyone to feel like they’re part of it.
Flannery revealed the unique arrangement that both he and Felix Jones took advantage of in an interview with Charlie Morgan of The Telegraph. While Flannery's arrangement with Rassie Erasmus is unusual in modern sport, it highlights the trust that Erasmus puts in his staff.
Speaking about the difference between rugby in South Africa and Ireland, Flannery didn't mince his words, calling it 'wildly different'
The relationship that the country has with the team is different to anything I’ve ever come across, it’s wildly different from my time with Ireland and from anything during my time in the UK.People in South Africa have this relationship with hope that’s different from other countries. And the Springboks really represent hope. I know that sounds clichéd and Hollywood, but it’s the reality. And it’s why, when they play, it just seems to matter that much more to them.
Jerry Flannery and South Africa are currently sitting atop the Rugby Championship having lost just one of their opening five games in a shock loss to Argentina last weekend.
SEE ALSO: Felix Jones Reportedly Set To See Out England Notice ‘Working From Home’
