England coach Eddie Jones pleased for triumphant Siya Kolisi

England coach Eddie Jones cut a forlorn figure, following his side’s Rugby World Cup defeat, but could not ignore the significance of Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi lifting the Webb-Ellis trophy.

Led by their first back captain, South Africa delivered a commanding performance in the final in Tokyo to run off 32-12 victory – claiming rugby’s biggest prize for the third time in their history.

Eddie Jones opens up about RWC final

While Jones would have wished that the outcome had gone the other way, he admitted in his autobiography, Eddie Jones: My Life and Rugby, that was happy for the Bok skipper, and hoped that the victory would make a difference in South Africa.

“In our misery we watch the World Cup being presented to the Springbok captain Siya Kolisi,” wrote Jones.

“I’d caught some of what he said after the match over the public address system. I heard him speak of the example this victory could set his country. Here is a symbol of what can be achieved when people work together.

“South Africa’s first black captain, a young man from the townships, who had little food to eat as a boy and who had sat in a shebeen to watch our World Cup victory in 2007, now holds up the greatest prize in rugby. It’s a powerful symbol of progress for South Africa. A part of me is pleased for Siya and for South Africa. I sincerely hope it makes a difference.”

Eddie Jones

Jones was part of South Africa’s technical team in their previous Rugby World Cup triumph in 2007.

What could have been 

Although Jones has been involved with teams that have claimed the big prize on a couple of occasions, he is yet to be on the winning side as a head coach.

In the book, he admits he could have changed a few things going into the 2019 final in order to give his England side, who went in as favourites to claim the title, a better shot at victory.

“I accept I made two selection mistakes for the final,” Jones wrote.

“I should have chosen Joe Marler ahead of Mako [Vunipola] and I should have reverted to the Farrell-Tuilagi-Slade midfield we used against Australia. George Ford could have come off the bench when we had got into the game.

“But you never know until the game starts. You use the best available evidence and rely on your gut. I had been right against Australia and New Zealand but, as it turned out, in the biggest game of our four-year cycle, I got it badly wrong. Hindsight is a wonderful teacher.”

Eddie Jones

Jones recently guided a Barbarians side laden with Springboks to two Kilik Cup fixtures.