Cape Town - Rumours about Eddie Jones becoming the next England rugby coach are growing stronger by the day.
English newspaper, The Telegraph, on Thursday reported it’s "only a matter of time" before the Rugby Football Union announces Jones as Stuart Lancaster’s successor.
Jones, despite being just a week into a three-year contract with the Stormers, is understood to be the RFU’s top target and it is thought that discussions have reached an advanced stage, the newspaper reports.
The Stormers though will not let go of Jones easily and it is believed that the RFU would have to fork out £700 000 (R15m) in compensation to the Cape franchise.
The RFU however has the financial muscle to get the top candidate, having cleared over £15m profit from hosting the Rugby World Cup on top of its slice of revenue as a tier one nation from World Rugby.
UK bookmakers also believe that Jones’ move to England is a done deal and have suspended betting on the matter.