Duane Vermeulen joins the Springboks coaching staff

Former Springbok star, Duane Vermeulen has joined the Springboks coaching team after being being appointed as roving coach by SA Rugby.

South Africa’s scrum-half Faf de Klerk (2nd R) hugs South Africa’s number 8 Duane Vermeulen (R) as they celebrate winning the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup final match between England and South Africa at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama on November 2, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

On Tuesday, SA Rugby announced a host of changes to the Springbok coaching staff, with Duane Vermeulen notably joining the wider SA Rugby management team after retiring following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

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Here are some key factors to take note of from Tuesday’s announcement:

Rassie Erasmus confirmed as head coach to end of 2027
Tony Brown (attack) and Jerry Flannery (defence) new additions
Jaco Peyper takes on full-time team role as National Laws advisor
Duane Vermeulen appointed to roving coaching role

Vermeulen has been appointed to a roving coaching role with all SA Rugby’s national teams, where he will become the third member of a mobi-coaching unit, joining forces with existing coaches, Franzel September and Bafana Nhleko.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander welcomed the appointment of Vermeulen: “Duane has tremendous experience as a player and will take that IP into the coaching teams of our other national teams to give them an insight into what it takes to be a champion team.

“It also allows us to extend our own coaching base from within the ranks of the Springboks with an eye to the future.”

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SPRINGBOK COACHING TEAM:

Rassie Erasmus – Head coach

Mzwandile Stick – Assistant coach

Deon Davids – Assistant coach

Daan Human – Assistant coach

Tony Brown – Assistant coach

Jerry Flannery – Assistant coach

Andy Edwards – Head of Athletic Performance

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Fact files:

Tony Brown:

Date of birth: 17 January 1975

Place of Birth: Balclutha, New Zealand

Playing career:

1999-2001: New Zealand (18 Test caps)
1995-2004: Otago
1996-2001: Highlanders
2004-2011: Sanyo Wild Knights

2006: Hollywoodbets Sharks
2008: DHL Stormers

Coaching experience:

2016-2023: Japan assistant coach (attack)
2017, 2021-2022: Highlanders head coach
2014-2016, 2020: Highlanders assistant coach (attack)
2012-2014: Otago head coach
2011-2012: Panasonic Wild Knights assistant coach
2011: Otago assistant coach and player
2006-2011: Sanyo assistant coach

Education:

Certificate in fitness management (University of Otago)

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Jerry Flannery

Date of birth: 17 October 1978

Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland