Jean de Villiers’ ‘extremely difficult’ verdict on Tony Brown’s All Blacks rumours as Springboks legend predicts the ‘right thing will happen’

Jean de Villiers will not hold a grudge should Tony Brown decide to exit the Springboks and return to New Zealand ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Following Scott Robertson’s shock departure as All Blacks head coach, their historic rivals are searching for his successor.

Jamie Joseph is the favourite to take over and that has therefore linked Brown to a position within the next All Blacks coaching group, despite being contracted to SA Rugby.

Those two are long-time colleagues having coached together at the Highlanders and Japan. Speculation is therefore rife that he and Joseph will once again combine looking towards the global tournament in Australia.

It would be a blow for the Springboks should that happen with Brown playing a significant role in their development since the 2023 World Cup triumph.

South Africa’s head coach took to social media in classic Rassie Erasmus fashion by posting a meme of Brown, captioned, ‘I’m not leaving’, but there will certainly be a worry among Boks fans that he will want to go back to New Zealand.

Erasmus breaks silence on Tony Brown’s All Blacks speculation in classic Rassie fashion

De Villiers also joked that “Tony’s staying!” before the ex-Springboks skipper gave his view on the former fly-half’s coaching conundrum.

‘An extremely difficult one’

“It’s an interesting one. As a human being, I absolutely only have praise and respect for Tony Brown, I think he’s a fantastic guy,” he said on the Boks Unpacked podcast.

“I had the pleasure of playing one season with him at the Stormers and I’ve spent some time with him since he’s been back in his coaching role, and he is just a top person.

“You go in and you become a coach, and you want to be successful in that role as well. He’s been fantastically successful with the Springboks with what he’s added.

“If you can potentially be in the situation where he is closer to his family, it makes more sense in his personal capacity and for his family, and maybe financially etc. Can we hold it against him? I don’t think you can.

“Is he the kind of person who will just leave a project halfway through? I don’t think he will either, so it’s an extremely difficult one.

“I think the right thing will happen. Throw in Rassie Erasmus’ name there and I’m pretty sure his contract with Tony Brown will have been watertight.”

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READ MORE: All Blacks legend: Springboks would be ‘stupid’ to let Tony Brown leave