Springboks: Rassie Erasmus uses ‘classic example’ of Jacques Nienaber to prove his point on Tony Brown contract situation
Springboks attack coach Tony Brown (inset) and head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has reaffirmed that Tony Brown is committed to his role as the Springboks’ attack coach until at least the 2027 Rugby World Cup but admitted that he is unsure whether he will be staying on beyond the global showpiece in Australia.
After the axing of All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson earlier this month, there was plenty of speculation over the future of New Zealander Brown, who has been part of South Africa’s backroom team since 2024.
Highlanders and All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Robertson.
Brown previously worked closely with Joseph at the Highlanders and with Japan, which led to talk in New Zealand of a possible reunion between the duo.
Brown committed to the Springboks until 2027 World Cup
However, Brown shut down speculation last week when he revealed that he is contracted to the Springboks until the 2027 World Cup in Australia and is committed to honouring that deal as he has no break clause in his contract that will enable him to join the All Blacks set-up.
Erasmus explained that he made sure to have all of his coaching staff committed to the Boks cause for a four-year period after they lost the services of former head coach Jacques Nienaber to Irish province Leinster shortly after they won the 2023 World Cup in France.
He said that and a previous experience at a global showpiece means he is hoping to have his assistant coaches’ futures secured beyond 2027.
“I think the big thing is our experience from previous World Cups,” said the Springboks head coach. “I was part of the 2007 World Cup planning there and then you know if you don’t win the World Cup, are you gonna have a job the next year or not.
“So, with Rian’s (Oberholzer) help and obviously everybody that’s involved in the protocols here (at SA Rugby), you sort of don’t want the World Cup year being (a time where) people are unsure about whether they have a job next year.
“I mean Jacques Nienaber was a classic example so the big thing with us was everybody signed until 2027.”
Erasmus admitted that he was somewhat annoyed with the speculation over Brown’s future but is happy that he will still be part of the Springboks for the next two years.
‘Just a bit frustrating’
“It was just a bit frustrating with people suggesting there was a possibility that he would leave prior to finishing his contract,” he said.
“We had a brief chat, and I asked Tony if everything was still the same, and he said, ‘Of course, my contract is until 2027, and I am committed here’.
“We would love to keep him longer than 2027, but I don’t know when New Zealand will make him an offer or if they will make him an offer.
“But he won’t be leaving us before 2027.
“We’ve put offers out to critical positions in our management team to get some calm around their jobs after next year.
“There are obviously performance clauses for doing well in there.
“Tony will be here until 2027; we want to keep him longer. But he has also been honest and said that he would love to coach New Zealand.”
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