Jerry Flannery: Harlequins sorry to lose defence coach as he joins Rassie Erasmus at South Africa national team

Jerry Flannery joined Harlequins as defence coach in 2020, with the team winning the Premiership the following year

Harlequins say they are sorry to lose "big character" Jerry Flannery, who is set to leave the club to join Rassie Erasmus's new Springboks coaching team.

Defence coach Flannery joined the London club in 2020 and they won the Premiership title the following year.

He will now link up with returning South Africa head coach Erasmus, who won the 2019 World Cup in the role.

Flannery, 45, won 41 international caps for Ireland and made 93 appearances in nine years for Munster.

He coached at the Irish club from 2014 to 2019, working under Erasmus in the 2016-17 season.

Erasmum was announced as the new head coach of the Springboks on Tuesday.

Director of rugby Billy Millard said Flannery could be "proud of his achievements" with Harlequins.

"We wish him well as he moves into international rugby and continues to develop his career," Millard said.

Harlequins are currently second in the Premiership, on 37 points, and through to the Champions Cup round of 16, where they will face Glasgow Warriors.

Flannery will join up with South Africa after Quins' friendly with Munster on 23 February.

"I have loved my time at Harlequins working alongside a talented young group of coaches and players," he said.

"The opportunity to move into international rugby and to work alongside Rassie Erasmus again after our time at Munster was very appealing and I would like to thank Harlequins for supporting my desire to take up this opportunity to develop my career.

"I look forward to the next few weeks with Harlequins and a final home match at a sold-out Stoop in February."