Tony Brown to leave Springboks and join All Blacks coaching staff from 2028

Tony Brown will return to New Zealand’s coaching setup from 2028, New Zealand Rugby confirmed, signing the former All Blacks fly-half to a two-year deal after his current contract with the Springboks expires following the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Brown has been a key figure on Rassie Erasmus’s coaching ticket with South Africa and remains contracted to the Springboks through to the end of the 2027 tournament. NZR moved to secure his services well in advance, with the appointment led by incoming High Performance Director Don Tricker, who takes up his own role full-time from November 2026.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster was unambiguous about the rationale behind the move. “Tony is a world-class coach who is highly regarded and consistently sought after by head coaches and teams around the world,” Lancaster said. “We know Tony is available after the 2027 Rugby World Cup and he’s made it clear he would love to be part of the All Blacks. This decision is simple — it’s about ensuring the best coaches return to New Zealand.”

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie was involved throughout the process and is understood to be supportive of the appointment. Lancaster confirmed that the structure of Brown’s role within the coaching group will ultimately be shaped by the All Blacks head coach, adding that NZR has “every confidence that Tony is a high-quality addition when he joins in 2028.”

Lancaster also addressed the broader coaching picture, revealing that NZR has agreed with Rennie to discuss the All Blacks head coach role no later than the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby Championship. “For now, Dave and his coaching team are absolutely focused on what’s in front of them,” Lancaster said, “and we look forward to challenging ourselves against Tony and the Springboks in the coming months.”

The confirmation means Brown will face his future employers on the international stage before switching allegiances — a dynamic that adds an intriguing subplot to New Zealand’s upcoming clashes with South Africa.