Jerry Flannery is already well acquainted with the Springboks
Insider intel suggests that the latest addition to the Boks coaching team, Jerry Flannery had already spent time with the team last year.
Earlier this month it was confirmed that former Ireland hooker and Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery will take over as defence coach for the Springbok team.
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JERRY FLANNERY ALREADY SPENT TIME WITH THE SPRINGBOKS LAST YEAR
It’s believed that Flannery was already identified last year by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus as the ideal candidate to come into the Bok set up in the wake of Jacques Nienaber’s departure.
Flannery worked with Erasmus and Nienaber when they were coaching Munster in 2017, and the former Bok coach has now provided some interesting insights as to why he feels the 45-year-old will be a good fit.
“I coached with him when we were at Munster,” Nienaber was quoted by the Irish Independent. “He would be very familiar with the way that Rassie would do stuff, because it will be very similar to how we did things when we were at Munster.
“Jerry actually spent some time with us in the World Cup preparation. He was there a week or two with the Boks. He understands how the environment operates and the players would know him.
“They met him for the week or two that he has been there. He won’t be unfamiliar to them. He actually helped us a little bit with the hookers. He added value with the lineout throws, him being an international hooker himself.
“Just adding things that he saw and I’m not saying it took over from there and all that, but it just added value. It’s a good opportunity for Jerry and I think he will be good for the Boks. I think both of those appointments, him and (attack coach) Tony Brown, are excellent appointments. They will add value to the team.
“When we did our club visits of the abroad players, Harlequins was one of the clubs that we visited. They were always open to us being there, so watching their training sessions, gym sessions, being in their team meetings.”
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SPRINGBOK COACHING TEAM:
Rassie Erasmus – Head coach
Mzwandile Stick – Assistant coach
Deon Davids – Assistant coach
Daan Human – Assistant coach
Tony Brown – Assistant coach
Jerry Flannery – Assistant coach
Andy Edwards – Head of Athletic Performance
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JERRY FLANNERY
Date of birth: 17 October 1978
Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland
Playing career:
- 2005-2011: Ireland (41 Test caps)
- 2001-2003: Connacht
- 2003-2012: Munster
- 2003: Ireland Development XV selection
Coaching experience:
- 2020-2023: Harlequins defence and lineout coach
- 2015-2019: Munster forwards coach
- 2013-2015: Munster scrum coach
Education:
- Stage 4 assistant coach (Irish Rugby Football Union)
- Masters in Sports Performance (University of Limerick)
- Certified strength and conditioning specialist (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Geography (University College Cork)
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