Giant-killer Jones to coach Super 18 side Western Stormers

Johannesburg (AFP) - Eddie Jones, the coach who plotted the sensational Rugby World Cup triumph by Japan over South Africa, will guide the Western Stormers Super 18 side next season.

In the greatest triumph of his career, no-hopers Japan scored with the last move of the game to defeat twice champions South Africa 34-32 in English seaside city Brighton on Saturday and create the biggest upset in World Cup history.

The announcement by Stormers officials in Cape Town Monday ended weeks of media speculation linking the 55-year-old Australian with the Cape Town outfit.

Tasmania-born Jones will quit the Brave Blossoms after the 2015 World Cup to succeed Allister Coetzee, who has moved to Japan.

Stormers won the South African conference this year only to make a meek quarter-finals exit at home against Australians ACT Brumbies..

"We promised to deliver the best and in Eddie Jones I am more than satisfied that we have appointed the best coach," Stormers official Thelo Wakefield said.

"Eddie is no stranger to South African rugby and we look forward to making him feel welcome and ensuring that he brings more silverware to Newlands."

Jones said in a statement: "I am a coach that enjoys a challenge and I see this job as a huge challenge, but one that excites me tremendously.

"Working with the Springboks in 2007 gave me a brief taste of what Stormers and Western Cape rugby is all about.

"I am well aware of the responsibilities that come with this job -- one of the biggest franchise jobs in world rugby.

"But I am also excited about the talent available in the Stormers squad and the potential. This is a challenge I am looking forward to."

Stormers Director of Rugby and former Springbok loose forward Gert Smal said Jones will arrive in Cape Town once his 2015 World Cup commitments are finished.

"We will get Eddie here as soon as possible after the Rugby World Cup so he can get started with his 2016 season preparations.

"He is obviously focusing on Japan at present, where he has made a significant impact, but we look forward to welcoming him here."

Jones was a highly-praised advisor to Springboks coach Jake White when they won the 2007 World Cup in France.

He steered Australia to the 2003 World Cup final, which they lost at home to England, and the Brumbies to the 2001 Super Rugby final.

A former hooker, he also coached in various capacities with English Premiership club Saracens, the Brisbane-based Queensland Reds and Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath.