UPDATE: New Zealander WILL coach Springboks

*Note: this is an updated article on reports that former All Blacks star Tony Brown will take up a coaching role with the Springboks.

Since the World Cup concluded, the Springboks have been looking for a replacement for Felix Jones, who has joined the England coaching group this year.

Jones, who hails from Ireland, offered great value to the Springboks as a ‘foreign’ coach who brought in some fresh ideas and energy, and his presence will be sorely missed.

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Notably, in terms of an attack coach, repotrs over the weekend suggested that the Boks could reportedly be set to turn to former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown, who is an experienced coach who previously worked with the Highlanders and Japan.

This report has been verified by reputable New Zealand-based publication Stuff.co.nz, which also intimates that “Brown’s recruitment also signals that Rassie Erasmus intends to use a bit of local knowledge against the All Blacks when the two great rivals clash in Johannesburg and Cape Town in August and September”.

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So, who is ex-All Backs star Tony Brown ahead of his possible Springbok move?

During his playing days at New Zealand domestic level, Brown became a legend for Otago and the Highlanders where he enjoyed a prolific career between 1995 and 2001.

He also played in Japan for several years before actually coming to South Africa where he featured briefly for the Sharks and then Stormers.

At international level, he featured for New Zealand U21 and New Zealand A before featuring in 18 Tests for the All Blacks.

The flyhalf undoubtedly played fewer games than would have been the case if not for the presence of Andre Mehrtens, who dominated the No 10 jersey.

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After his playing days, Brown joined the backroom staff of Sanyo Wild Knights later in 2011 and also had coaching stints as an assistant with Otago and the Highlanders between 2012 and 2016.

Brown was also part of the Sunwolves’ coaching staff in Super Rugby, while his involvement with Japan also saw him serve in their coaching group at the Rugby World Cup in France last year.

New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson apparently tried to recruit Brown onto his coaching staff in 2019, but he opted to remain with Japan, having since built a reputation as a clever and innovative attack coach

With Japan currently undergoing changes to their coaching staff under Eddie Jones, it’s now opened the door for the Springboks to recruit the 49-year-old.

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Rassie would know Brown from his time at the Stormers and his work with the Highlanders & Japan speaks for itself.
Flannery worked under Rassie at Munster and Flannery is very highly rated as a coach and pundit.
Would be a quality back room team for the Boks. https://t.co/tTM6e3YDUA

— Overthehillprop (@Overthehillprop) January 28, 2024

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