Rassie Erasmus Shuts Down Tony Brown Exit Rumours As Springboks Grow Frustrated

• Rassie Erasmus has shared the latest update on the ongoing rumours linking Springboks assistant coach Tony Brown to the All Blacks of New Zealand
• The South African Rugby coach reacted to the issue when it first trended, and has opened up on Brown's commitment with the reigning World Champions
• The comments made by the Springboks head coach on Brown's exit talks sparked different reactions from rugby fans on social media

Speculation linking Tony Brown to a potential coaching move to New Zealand proved an irritant for both the Springboks and South Africa Rugby, particularly with the World Cup still a year away.

The former New Zealand rugby star has been linked with returning home to coach the national team he once played for, but the Boks are not to let him go at this point.

Erasmus shuts down Brown's exit talks

Speaking in his first in-depth interview of 2026, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus reiterated that Brown remains contracted to the world champions through to 2027. He acknowledged, however, that the former All Black ultimately harbours aspirations of leading his home nation one day.

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Despite that long-term ambition, the attack coach has pledged his full focus to South Africa as the Boks gear up for an intensive 2026 schedule.

Their calendar includes Nations Cup Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, followed by a renewed chapter of rugby’s fiercest rivalry against New Zealand later in the year. The two sides are scheduled to meet four times, with three fixtures in South Africa and a fourth in Baltimore, USA.

Erasmus on Brown's commitment to the Springboks

Brown’s name surfaced prominently after New Zealand parted ways with Scott Robertson following a two-year tenure, fuelling reports that he could form part of a revamped All Blacks coaching team.

Erasmus responded lightheartedly on social media, posting a video on X that edited Brown into a famous Wolf of Wall Street scene, declaring, “I’m not f… leaving.” While the post drew praise locally, it also triggered criticism from across the Tasman.

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“It was slightly frustrating to see suggestions that Tony might walk away before his contract expires,” Erasmus said on Monday.

“We touched base with him to confirm nothing had changed, and he was very clear — his deal runs until 2027 and he is fully committed to this setup. Ideally, we’d like to keep him beyond that point, but we don’t control if or when New Zealand approaches him, or whether they do at all.”

Here is what rugby fans are saying on social media after Erasmus confirmed once again that Brown is committed to the Springboks until his deal runs out in 2027.

Benjee Smith said:

"He can only leave after the 2027 World Cup, his contract does not have an early release clause."

Joseph van Wyk reacted:

"I just want to leave the NZ media and public from the bottom of my heart for TONY BROWN YT HE IS WITH THE BOKS UNTIL THE WORLD CUP 2027."

Chad Adams shared:

"Rassie must tell the Bokke supporters to calm down, it's them that's stressing so, coz then it's goodbye to the ABs backline style of playing....Relax, man."

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Armand Struwig wrote:

"Stop stressing about this guy; the All Blacks don't even have a coach."

Robert Erroll Young added:'

"As a proud New Zealander. Doesn't make a difference if Tony comes back home. The all blacks still going to lose all their tests this year and won't win the World Cup."

Springboks star ruled out of the season

Briefly News also reported that a Springboks star has suffered a season-ending injury, which means he is set to be out for a long period in 2026.

The South African rugby star's injury comes as bad news for both his club and the Springboks as he's now expected to undergo surgery in a few days.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News