Rassie Erasmus says that SA Rugby is working on extending Tony Brown’s contract after Jamie Joseph missed out on the All Blacks head coaching job.
Following the dismissal of Scott Robertson, Brown was quickly linked with a return to New Zealand, possibly joining up with Joseph if he were to be named as his successor.
The former All Blacks fly-half moved to dispel the rumours, stating that he would honour his commitment to the Springboks with his contract expiring at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Brown added that even if he wasn’t going to do so, there was no exit clause in his contract to allow him to leave.
Erasmus on Brown returning to New Zealand
Last year, Erasmus extended his contract through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States of America, with the statement from SA Rugby confirming that ‘an announcement on the contract negotiations with other members of the Springbok coaching team will be made in due course.’
The Boks head coach has made no secret of his desire to retain the backroom staff in its current form, which consists of Brown, Jerry Flannery, Felix Jones, Daan Human, Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, and Duane Vermeulen.
After being named the SA Rugby Coach of the Year, Erasmus joked that the negotiations will go smoother now that Rennie has been confirmed as the new All Blacks’ head coach, with Joseph missing out.
He did so in an interview with ex-Springboks hooker Hanyani Shimange.
“Did you have a chat with the Deputy President and ask him to take Tony Brown’s passport away so he can’t return to New Zealand?” Shimange jokingly asked.
“We are working on Tony,” Erasmus replied.
“Luckily, Dave Rennie got the job and not Jamie Joseph, so we are on a good footing so far.”
Brown addresses his future plans
Brown has a close relationship with Joseph, with the two working together at the Highlanders and Japan. He also aligned with Joseph during his previous bids to become the All Blacks head coach in 2019 and 2023.
He even turned down the advances of New Zealand Rugby during Ian Foster’s tenure and snubbed Scott Robertson. Brown has expressed his desire to coach his country one day but it’s yet to be seen whether he will be open to do so after his stint with the Springboks.
Speaking to reporters in Cape Town before the All Blacks announcement was made, he kept his cards close to his chest.
“I haven’t thought about it to be fair,” he replied when asked about his future.
“I’m just going to get through these next two years, I’m fully committed to South Africa until after the World Cups and what will be, will be.
“I haven’t really thought what I’m going to do after the World Cup. That’s it.”
Tony Brown reveals how ‘the evolution of Springbok rugby’ has made them more difficult to beat
Looking ahead to the year that’s coming, Erasmus added that while 2025 was hugely successful, it will matter little once the first whistle sounds to kick-start the new season.
“It’s massive Test matches for us with the Barbarians first, then the Nations Championship and the Greatest Rivalry Series,” he said.
“So, we are not singling out any of the Test matches; we know last year is in the past, and I know it’s a cliche, but the moment we start playing, 2025 is all gone, and we get judged on the next Saturday.”
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