Springboks frustrated as Rassie Erasmus shuts down Tony Brown departure talk

It was frustrating for the Springboks and SA Rugby that there were suggestions that Tony Brown might leave the world champions to take up a coaching role with the All Blacks two years before the World Cup.

In a wide-ranging first interview of 2026, Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed they are keeping the New Zealander until 2027, but in the same breath, he said it is Brown’s ambition to coach the All Blacks.

However, the attack specialist has committed himself to the Springboks as they prepare for a busy 2026 with Nations Cup Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against his country of birth later this year. The Boks and All Blacks are set to clash in four matches – three in South Africa and the fourth in Baltimore in the United States.

New Zealand recently fired Scott Robertson after two years at the helm, and Brown was heavily linked with a role in the new coaching setup. Erasmus, in response, posted a video of Brown’s face superimposed over Leonardo DiCaprio with a voice saying ‘I’m not f..kingleaving’ on X recently. This was a scene from the movie The Wolf of Wall Street... The Bok coach was praised for the post, but also received backlash from New Zealand.

“It was just a bit frustrating with people suggesting there was a possibility that he would leave prior to finishing his contract,” Erasmus said on Monday.

“We had a brief chat and 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.”

Erasmus said he was surprised by the sacking of Robertson and added in the same breath that New Zealand will know what is best for them. The All Blacks are currently in the process of looking for a new head coach.

A five-person appointment panel has been established by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) from which they will interview candidates, with the appointment being made by the NZR Board.