SA Rugby hope to finalise contract extensions for Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks assistant coaches before the start of the 2026 international season.
It has been widely reported that Erasmus wants all of his assistants to re-sign with the union through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup, with all of their contracts expiring after the 2027 tournament in Australia.
The Springboks head coach committed his services through to that date, and CEO Rian Oberholzer has confirmed that offers have been sent to the likes of Daan Human, Tony Brown, Mzwandile Stick, Jerry Flannery, Felix Jones, Deon Davids, Andy Edwards and Duane Vermeulen.
New Zealand Rugby’s announcement of Scott Robertson’s sacking as the All Blacks head coach has led to speculation that Brown could be returning to New Zealand, particularly if Jamie Joseph is entrusted with the head coaching reins.
SA Rugby boss on Tony Brown situation
The duo have a long history of working together, having done so at the Highlanders and with Japan, but Brown squashed the rumours, stating that he remains committed to the Boks through to the World Cup in Australia and does not have a clause in his contract that would allow for an early release.
Speaking on the Rapport Praat Sport podcast, SA Rugby boss Oberholzer said that he expects Brown to see out his current contract with the Springboks and hopes that he will sign an extension.
“He [Brown] and Rassie spoke [about the speculation],” Oberholzer said.
“Let’s see what happens, but our position is very clear: he has a contract with us until 2027, and we will expect him to stick to it.”
He added: “If we can keep him longer than 2027, it will be even better for us.”
Brown joined Erasmus’ backroom staff following the 2023 Rugby World Cup and been central in South Africa’s success in winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, with the Boks also going unbeaten on both of their end-of-year tours.
He has been central to transforming South Africa’s attack during his time with the squad, and Oberholzer admits that his departure will be a blow to the team.
“His work ethic and the way he works with the players is highly regarded and respected,” the CEO added.
“The coaching staff works so well together, and it would be a big blow for us if we lost him, but let’s accept that he will stay until 2027.”
Waiting for feedback
As mentioned above, SA Rugby are working on extending the contracts of Erasmus’ assistant coaches, and Oberholzer confirms that initial offers have been sent, with the union awaiting feedback.
“The process has begun, and the offers have been made,” he explained.
“We are now waiting for feedback so that we can finalise all this before the season starts, if we can.”
Earlier this week, Brown confirmed that he had no plans of jumping ship and returning to New Zealand before the 2027 Rugby World Cup and couldn’t do so even if he wanted to.
He also confirmed that Robertson attempted to lure him back to Aotearoa late last year, presumably when it was announced that All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland would be leaving the coaching team.
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Brown’s position
He revealed as much when asked whether he’d like to coach the All Blacks in the future and was frustrated that New Zealand Rugby did not approach him before he signed with the Springboks.
“100% yes,” he replied when asked in an interview with NewsTalk ZB if he would ‘bite someone’s hand off’ to work with the All Blacks, if he wasn’t employed with the Boks.
“I would have two years ago as well, and in the future, it’s definitely something I want to do.
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“Just the timing hasn’t worked. My commitment to South Africa was for four years, and I’ve always had the plan to honour that commitment.
“Yeah, it’s very frustrating [that timing hasn’t worked out].
“I’ve even talked to Razor a couple of months ago about potentially joining the All Blacks, but it’s like I said to him, my commitment to South Africa was four years, and I’ve always wanted to honour that. And I said, I’m just so frustrated that no one talked to me two years ago.
“But that’s rugby, that’s coaching, and he had his coaches, and I just had to go and find another job.”
In another interview, Brown also said that he was surprised by New Zealand Rugby’s decision to part ways with Robertson and added that he has not been approached by the union yet.
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