Springboks coaches are getting along great: Rassie

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus was celebrated at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. Images via X: @supersporttv/ @springboks

On Monday and Tuesday, the Springboks coaches intensified planning for a season-opening national alignment camp in Cape Town. After a two-day strategic coaches’ session, the invited group of players have now joined the camp, where they will participate in a string of boardroom sessions until Thursday.

Notably, the first couple of days marked the first in-person Springbok coaches meeting following the team’s Rugby World Cup triumph in France in 2023, and since the appointment of Jerry Flannery and Tony Brown as new defence and attack specialists.

Former international referee Jaco Peyper, who has joined the management group as the team’s national laws advisor, was also part of the gathered group along with ‘roving coach’ Duane Vermeulen.

“It was fantastic to have the coaches and Jaco in the same room and to share our ideas with an eye on the 2024 season,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

“We’ve had several online meetings in the last few months, but the human element is always great, and this camp allowed everyone to get to know one another in a personal and professional manner.”

Erasmus added: “We are pleased with the foundation laid before we kick off the player sessions on Wednesday, and it’s great to see the enthusiasm among the coaches to get the season underway.

“Tony, Jerry and Jaco leaped straight into the swing of things, and it’s fantastic to see how they bonded with the rest of the coaching team who have been in the system for the last few years, so we are looking forward to this new chapter for Springbok rugby.”

SPRINGBOKS COACHES:

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

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)

Jerry Flannery
Date of birth: 17 October 1978
Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland