Clive Woodward has emerged as a surprise ally of Eddie Jones with the England coach sending his Wallabies counterpart an email message supporting the Australian's attack on South African rugby.

Bitter rivals, Jones and Woodward have butted heads since taking on their national posts but the England boss sided with Jones, who labelled the Springboks "a disgrace for international rugby" following Saturday's Tri-Nations Test.

Woodward's email supported Jones's public condemnation of the Springboks' violent tactics.

The Australians accused South Africa of biting, eye-gouging and spitting during their spiteful 29-9 win at Suncorp Stadium, which resulted in Springboks Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha being suspended for four and eight weeks, respectively.

"I think I did the right thing and I think Eddie Jones has also done the right thing," Woodward told British newspaper the Daily Mail.

"When these things happen, you cannot sit back and say it's all part of the game. What happened during the match at Twickenham was not acceptable.

"As a result, the (International Rugby) Board tried to make sure it would not happen again.

"From what I saw, I cannot disagree with what Eddie said. I have told him so, which I will admit is rather unusual."

Jones said he was yet to receive the email, and declined to comment further on the matter, saying he "had already said enough".

Stoking the fires ahead of England's World Cup pool clash with South Africa on October 18, Woodward backed Jones after seeing the Springboks use similar tactics during his side's record 53-3 win at Twickenham last November.

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