South Africa have appointed England technical analyst Joe Lewis ahead of their meeting in the Nations Championship in July. Joe Lewis will leave England in June to take up a role as performance analyst for the Springboks under Rassie Erasmus. Joe Lewis served as England's head analyst under Eddie Jones between 2017 and 2021, and has been senior analyst since Steve Borthwick's appointment in 2022.
South Africa's international season includes hosting England, Scotland, and Wales in the inaugural Nations Championship, and New Zealand in the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series. An England XV is expected to face a France XV in Vannes ahead of beginning their Nations Championship campaign at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on 4 July. England had their worst-ever Six Nations campaign, suffering four consecutive defeats to finish fifth, and a Rugby Football Union review is underway expected to conclude by late April.
Rassie Erasmus has former England defence coach Felix Jones on his coaching team, who resigned after seven months with England to return to the Springboks in 2024. Erasmus expressed delight at Lewis's appointment, noting his experience will add value to the squad for the busy season and 2027 Rugby World Cup. The specific terms or duration of Joe Lewis's contract with South Africa have not been disclosed, and the exact reasons behind his decision to leave England for South Africa remain unclear.
It is also unknown whether his departure is directly linked to England's poor Six Nations performance or what impact it will have on England's preparations for the Nations Championship.