Springbok shock as coach announces plan to leave after 2027 Rugby World Cup

New Zealander Brown was brought in to overhaul the Springbok attack when he arrived in 2024 and that investment has yielded significant returns in a largely dominant 2025 campaign, which featured a record test defeat for the All Blacks of 43-10 in Wellington.

However, he has never hidden his ambition to coach within the All Blacks framework and will serve under Rennie as an assistant from the 2028 international season onward.

"Tony is a world class coach who is highly respected and consistently in demand by head coaches and teams across the globe," New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster said in a statement on Sunday.

"We are aware that Tony will be available after the 2027 Rugby World Cup and he has made it clear he would relish the opportunity to be part of the All Blacks. This decision is straightforward; it is about bringing the best coaches back to New Zealand.

"For the time being, Dave and his coaching staff are fully concentrated on the tasks ahead and we look forward to testing ourselves against Tony and the Springboks in the coming months."

The Springboks and All Blacks will meet in the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' tour in August and September this year, which will see the teams contest three tests in South Africa and a fourth in Baltimore in the United States.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was full of praise for Brown and said he will depart, when the moment arrives, with their good wishes.

“Tony has made a remarkable impact, both on and off the field, and he has been honest with us throughout about his desire to be nearer his family and about the All Blacks occupying a special place in his heart. We are genuinely pleased for him," he said.

Brown insists he remains entirely devoted to the Springboks until the conclusion of the 2027 World Cup.

“My contract with New Zealand Rugby does not start until 2028, so there is still a long journey ahead before that takes effect,” he said. “At this moment, I am completely focused on the Springboks. What we are building and striving to accomplish as a team over the next two years is my only priority.”

Former flyhalf Brown earned 18 caps for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2001.