Tony Brown is among the Springbok assistant coaches offered contract extensions until the end of the 2031 World Cup.
SA Rugby recently extended Rassie Erasmus’ contract through to the global showpiece in the USA, and CEO Rian Oberholzer confirmed talks with assistant coaches are progressing.
“The process has started and the offers [to the Bok assistant coaches] have been made,” he said on the Rapport Praat Sport podcast. “We are now waiting for feedback so that we can finalise all this before the season starts. That is now if we can.”
RASSIE: Tony’s not leaving Boks
Speculation around Brown’s future intensified following the departure of Scott Robertson as All Blacks head coach, with Jamie Joseph emerging as the frontrunner to replace him. Brown previously worked closely with Joseph at the Highlanders and with Japan, fuelling talk in New Zealand of a possible reunion.
However, Oberholzer was emphatic that Brown remains firmly tied to South Africa.
“He and Rassie have spoken,” Oberholzer said. “Let’s see what happens. Our position is very clear. He has a contract with us until 2027 and we will expect him to stick to it.
“If we can keep him longer than 2027, it will be even better for us.”
Brown’s influence within the Springbok setup has grown significantly over the past two years, something Oberholzer believes would be difficult to replace.
“His work ethic and the way he works with the players is highly regarded and respected,” he said. “The coaching group works so well together. It would be a big blow to us if we lost him, but let’s accept that he will stay until 2027.”
MORE: Tony breaks silence on All Blacks speculation
Brown himself has confirmed that he can’t leave the Boks now.
“I don’t have an ‘out’ of my contract, so I’m back in South Africa [until the 2027 World Cup],” he said.
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Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images
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