If one wants insight into the talents of South Africa's coaches - Rassie Erasmus, Jacques Nienaber, and Felix Jones - then Jerry Flannery is a great reference point.
Flannery coached alongside the three men with Munster, and also played with Felix Jones for both Munster and Ireland.
Jacques Nienaber will be returning to Ireland after the World Cup, replacing Stuart Lancaster as a senior coach with Leinster, with their supporters desperately hoping that his prowess will be enough to see them win a fifth European star.
Given Flannery's experience as a player, and as a coach with Munster and Harlequins, his comments on RTE this afternoon, regarding Nienaber, will be music to the ears of Leinster fans.
They're [South Africa] incredibly competitive. Jacques Nienaber is probably the best coach I've ever come across. He's incredible, like a scientist.
Felix Jones is a phenomenal young coach as well. If you look at Felix's coaching CV, is he 35 now, 36, he's won a World Cup, won a Lions series.
He's going into this tournament now and has a really good chance of adding a second World Cup to it.
And over the top of that is Rassie Erasmus, who is probably the smartest man I've come across.
Jerry Flannery Waxes Lyrical About Jacques Nienaber, Felix Jones, and Rassie Erasmus
‘Jacques Nienaber is probably the best coach I have ever come across’ - @jerryflannery on the strengths of the South African coaching team #RWC2023 #rterugby pic.twitter.com/RV8hdwvZc1
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 17, 2023
READ HERE: Simon Zebo Couldn't Resist Cheeky Comment On Potential Erasmus Ireland Return
Nienaber's return to Ireland has added to the speculation over Rassie Erasmus also returning, to replace David Nucifora as the IRFU's High Performance Director.
However, Brendan Fanning, of The Irish Independent, reported this morning that Erasmus is not on the shortlist of candidates for the job.
"Despite suggestions that South Africa’s Rassie Erasmus is being lined up for the job, it’s understood he is not on the final shortlist," wrote Fanning.
"Neither is Joe Schmidt, who it’s understood had other interests.
"It has been widely reported that Erasmus will swap South Africa for Ireland where he was very happy in his brief stint with Munster. But it seems more likely the post will go to someone from the Irish system."
SEE ALSO: Paul O'Connell Has One Big Ireland Concern Ahead Of South Africa Showdown
