Rassie Erasmus has a vacancy to fill, and roughly two years to fill it. Tony Brown, the attack coach widely credited with sharpening the Springboks' game since the last World Cup, has confirmed he will leave to join the All Blacks in 2028 — and the search for his successor has quietly begun.
Erasmus has gone out of his way to bless the move rather than resent it. "Tony has made a remarkable difference, both on and off the field, and he has always been upfront with us about wanting to be closer to his family and about the All Blacks holding a special place in his heart, and we are genuinely delighted for him," the Springbok boss said.
What pleases Erasmus most is the timing. South Africa was burned during the last cycle by leaving coaching contracts unresolved deep into a World Cup year, and he is determined not to repeat it. "We've made the mistake in the past of negotiating contracts in a RWC year, and this clarity will allow us all to go full steam ahead with our preparations for this and next season," he said.
For now, nothing changes. Brown remains in his post through the 2027 World Cup before the New Zealand deal kicks in. "My contract with New Zealand Rugby only begins in 2028, so there is still a long road ahead before that comes into play. Right now, I am fully committed to the Springboks," Brown said. SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer struck a similarly warm note: "We are grateful to Tony for his commitment, loyalty and honesty throughout his time with us."
The more interesting question is who comes next, and Erasmus is not short of options. The early field spans current staff and outside names. Defence consultant Felix Jones and skills coach Mzwandile Stick are already inside the camp; further afield, Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith, recently departed Waratahs attack coach Mike Catt, Lyon's AB Zondagh and Junior Boks boss Kevin Foote all carry credentials. Jacques Nienaber, now at Leinster, looms as a familiar face should he ever return.
One name keeps recurring, and there is a neat symmetry to it: Nick Evans. Replacing one former All Black fly-half turned attack specialist with another would be very on-brand for Erasmus. Evans is freshly available after 18 years at Harlequins, where his attacking partnership with Jerry Flannery delivered the 2021 Premiership title. His international grounding, including part-time work with England, only adds to the case.
None of it is urgent. Brown is staying put, Erasmus is re-signed through 2031, and the Springboks have two full seasons to settle on the right voice. But the jockeying has started — and the early money points to another New Zealander shaping South Africa's attack.
