Sad news for Harlequins: He will not return..

This resulted in the opening at the Test-level, which Flannery, the former Ireland hooker who was Erasmus’s employee at Munster, will take up.

Both Flannery and Jones chose not to accept contract extensions at the Irish province in 2019. Flannery took a break before joining Harlequins in 2020 and leading them to Premiership title glory in his first season there, while Jones was quickly signed up by Erasmus to support the Springboks for their World Cup campaign in Japan.

Erasmus represented the team in the 2023 French rugby finals as director of rugby, however a coaching change was required when head coach Jacques Nienaber left following the tournament victory to assume a senior coach post with Leinster.

As a result, Flannery was confirmed as one of four newcomers to the Test team’s staff, along with fellow assistant Tony Brown, former referee Jaco Peyper, and the recently retired No. 8 Duane Vermeulen. On Tuesday, Erasmus was named as Springboks head coach through to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

“Harlequins can confirm that defense coach Jerry Flannery will depart the club in February to take up a coaching role with the South African national team,” the statement announcing Flannery’s exit from the Premiership said.

After Friday, February 23, the high-profile friendly between Harlequins and Munster, his previous team, at The Stoop, Finnery will head to the Springboks.

“Since joining the team in 2020, he has played a pivotal role in leading the coaching staff that captured the Gallagher Premiership in 2021 and is currently ranked second in the Premiership.”

“We will be sad to see Jerry go as he is a big character and can be very proud of his achievements at Harlequins,” stated Billy Millard, director of rugby at Harlequins. We send him our best wishes as he pursues his profession and enters the international rugby scene.

“The Stoop will always be happy to have him. We have a great group of coaches for the remainder of the season, and we are lucky to have assistant defense coach Jordan Turner-Hall on board. We also have the tools and framework necessary to succeed.

“I have enjoyed working with a talented young group of coaches and players at Harlequins,” Flannery continued. After our time at Munster, the chance to transition into international rugby and collaborate with Cassie Erasmus once more was quite alluring.

“I want to express my gratitude to Harlequins for enabling me to seize this chance to advance my profession. I’m excited for the upcoming weeks with Harlequins and the home finale on February 23 at a fully packed Stoop.