It was so nice twice that he decided he wanted to do it thrice.

If you have watched Avengers: Endgame, then you will know that, towards the climax of the flick, Captain America stands up wearily.

Beaten, bloodied, bruised, and exhausted, he looks over the scarred battlefield at the antagonist, Thanos, breathing heavily. Defeat flashes over his face as he tightens his shattered shield to his arm, ready for his last stand.

In that moment of utter despair, his radio crackles to life, bringing the affirmation that help is on its way. What follows is a scene 10 years in the making, as every Marvel superhero at that time rallies to his side.

After some heart-stirring cameos and a pulse-pumping score, Cap finally mutters the immortal words: “Avengers, assemble.”

Now, Thursday’s statement that Felix Jones would be returning to the Springbok fold as an assistant coach was certainly not that dramatic. In fact, it was all rather demure – a text and an email confirming the move. But, man alive, did it conjure up similar feelings.

If you love South African rugby and the Boks, then you rejoiced just a little bit – perhaps you looked up to the heavens to thank the rugby gods, perhaps you did a little fist pump, or perhaps, while sitting at Ellis Park watching the Lions train ahead of their clash against the Sharks on Saturday, you cracked a wry smile and decreed with a colourful verb or two that England had made a huge mess of it.

Now, Jones was one of the unsung heroes of both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup triumphs.

He received well-deserved national recognition during the screening of Chasing the Sun 2, where it became apparent that the Irishman had played an unquestionable role in plotting the downfall of France, England and New Zealand in the play-offs, conspiring alongside Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to ensure South Africa’s defence of the Webb Ellis Cup.

Pundits and those in the know would have also told you that Jones’ analytical approach and passion for the Boks were unrivalled.

It was, therefore, with much glumness when it was revealed he would depart the team and join England as a defence coach, with the view of being closer to his family.

After such admirable service to the Bok cause, no one could begrudge Jones for switching his focus.

His stint with England, however, was shortlived, and there seems to have been an acrimonious departure from Steve Borthwick’s management team. The word disillusioned has also been bandied about.

Regardless, his decision to return to the Bok fold is most welcome, and hopefully he can slot right back into the system without much fuss.

When you look at the coaching team Erasmus is building, there is a sense that he, too, is working towards an Endgame moment.

The Bok mentor now has the services of Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery, multiple World Cup winners in Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick, the rock-solid scrum kingpin Daan Human and the expertise of Bok legend Duane Vermeulen.

He now folds Jones back into that. I wouldn’t be surprised if recently retired prop Steven Kitshoff is also invited to add his considerable knowledge to the set-up.

In 2024, Erasmus trialled over 50 players during the international season.

This year, I suspect it will be even more as he rests his stalwarts and unleashes young Turks against Italy and Georgia.

There is no doubt that things are going rather swimmingly right now for Erasmus and Co, and come the Rugby World Cup in 2027, the three-peat might just materialise.

One thing is for certain: come that tournament, Erasmus will certainly have the ability to call on an enviable player pool and arguably unmatched rugby IQ. He could, indeed, have his “Avengers, assemble” moment.

#felix-jones

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