Some authorities (notably Dickinson and Christidis) treat the two rockjumpers as a single species, Chaetops frenatus, with two subspecies.

Family group territories near Cape Town vary in size from 4–11 ha (10–27 acres), but are larger out east.

[8] Nests are built on the ground under rocky overhangs, and lined with either fur from red rock hare or old and fluffy protea seed pods.

They also experience predation from Cape grey mongoose, honey badger, common egg-eater, and African vlei rat.

Although not recorded, it is also likely they experience predation from chacma baboon, black-backed jackal, white-necked raven, and other snakes in the area (such as Cape cobra or puff adder).

Nest success for Cape rockjumpers is higher in territories that had more recent fire (within 3–5 years), possibly as there were fewer predators present.

Cape rockjumpers inhabit only mountain Fynbos, specifically that dominated by low scrubby restio vegetation.

While there is an established population at sea level at Rooi-Els (~ 80 km east of Cape Town), this area nevertheless is made up of mountain Fynbos habitat.