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ESPN staff
England head coach Eddie Jones says he is not worried about his job ahead of the third Test against South Africa despite his team’s run of five consecutive defeats.
South Africa have already won the series thanks to victories in Cape Town and Bloemfontein and are looking to inflict a series whitewash on England at Newlands on Saturday.
Jones told the media he was more interested in ending England’s disappointing spell than any speculation over his future.
“I don’t need to worry about my job. All I need to worry about is coaching better,” the 58-year-old Australian said.
“I woke up this morning, looked at Table Mountain and thought: ‘it’s a nice place’ – particularly when you’re on top, not so much when you’re looking from the bottom. So we need to get back on top.”
“At the moment we have a young team that is struggling a little bit — that’s the reality. Everyone knows we are struggling. We don’t have enough experience in the team.”
“We’re going through a renewal period. You go through a great period with a settled senior team. We don’t have that now. We are going through this renewal period and it’s tough.”
“Someone has to take the team through it and I’m taking it through.”
Jones has turned to mercurial fly-half Danny Cipriani in a bid to turn around his side’s fortunes.
Cipriani, 30, will make his first start for his national side since 2008 when he replaces George Ford for the pivotal clash at Newlands.
The sport’s second oldest stadium will be hosting its final match before it’s demolished amid financial difficulties and Jones described the ground as ‘unique’.
“It’s one of the great rugby grounds in the world and to have the privilege to play the last Test there is something we’re all honoured to be part of.”
“Newlands has seen some great Test matches and it’s got that unique atmosphere there that you don’t get at any other South African ground.”
“You’ve got the cultural mix at Newlands that you don’t get anywhere else and it’s fantastic. I remember coming here in Super Rugby and it was always the toughest ground to win at.”