Former South Africa second-row Bakkies Botha has suggested that England will be getting the perfect head coach if they were to appoint "phenomenal" Eddie Jones.

Widespread reports have suggested that Jones, who orchestrated the biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history when his Japan side edged out the Springboks in September, is locked in talks with the RFU over succeeding Stuart Lancaster.

The 55-year-old acted as assistant to Jake White in South Africa's coaching team during the 2007 World Cup, and one of the playing members of that squad has now backed Jones to become England's first foreign boss.

"Eddie Jones is a phenomenal coach. I learnt a lot off him, especially in 2007," Botha told Sky Sports News. "I think, definitely, he played a bigger part than a lot of people think for the Springboks in 2007.

"He brought a lot of calmness into the coaching team, working together with Jake White in France. He's just a phenomenal person. When we played Japan we had a nice talk after the game.

"He's a phenomenal guy, a phenomenal coach as well. Wherever he goes he leaves a footprint. For me, I truly believe that England can't go wrong to go in the direction of Eddie Jones."

Steve Borthwick, who worked alongside Jones with both Japan and Saracens, is thought to be in the running to join the Aussie as part of the new Twickenham set-up.