SA Rugby hope to finalise contract extensions for Rassie Erasmus\u2019 Springboks assistant coaches before the start of the 2026 international season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Springboks<\/a> head coach committed his services through to that date, and CEO Rian Oberholzer<\/a> has confirmed that offers have been sent to the likes of Daan Human, Tony Brown<\/a>, Mzwandile Stick, Jerry Flannery, Felix Jones, Deon Davids, Andy Edwards and Duane Vermeulen.<\/p>\n New Zealand Rugby\u2019s announcement of Scott Robertson\u2019s sacking as the All Blacks<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n SA Rugby boss on Tony Brown situation<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Speaking on the Rapport Praat Sport<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Brown] and Rassie spoke [about the speculation],\u201d Oberholzer said.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIf we can keep him longer than 2027, it will be even better for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Brown joined Erasmus\u2019 backroom staff following the 2023 Rugby World Cup and been central in South Africa\u2019s success in winning back-to-back Rugby Championship titles, with the Boks also going unbeaten on both of their end-of-year tours.<\/p>\n He has been central to transforming South Africa\u2019s attack during his time with the squad, and Oberholzer admits that his departure will be a blow to the team.<\/p>\n \u201cHis work ethic and the way he works with the players is highly regarded and respected,\u201d the CEO added.<\/p>\n \u201cThe coaching staff works so well together, and it would be a big blow for us if we lost him, but let\u2019s accept that he will stay until 2027.\u201d<\/p>\n Springboks great in Ardie Savea \u2018rant\u2019 over Scott Robertson sacking as All Blacks star should have \u2018manned up\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Waiting for feedback<\/p>\n As mentioned above, SA Rugby are working on extending the contracts of Erasmus\u2019 assistant coaches, and Oberholzer confirms that initial offers have been sent, with the union awaiting feedback.<\/p>\n \u201cThe process has begun, and the offers have been made,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now waiting for feedback so that we can finalise all this before the season starts, if we can.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019t do so even if he wanted to.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Springboks v All Blacks USA Test slammed as the \u2018most egregious money-grab in rugby\u2019s history\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Brown\u2019s position<\/p>\n He revealed as much when asked whether he\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n \u201c100% yes,\u201d he replied when asked in an interview with NewsTalk ZB<\/a> if he would \u2018bite someone\u2019s hand off\u2019 to work with the All Blacks, if he wasn\u2019t employed with the Boks.<\/p>\n \u201cI would have two years ago as well, and in the future, it\u2019s definitely something I want to do.<\/p>\n