International
Erasmus signed to 2027; Bok coaches confirmed
Rassie Erasmus – the mastermind behind the Springboks’ back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles of 2019 and 2023 – has returned to the role of head coach for the next four years, following the departure of Jacques Nienaber to Leinster.
Erasmus, who coached the team in 2019 and was Director of Rugby four years later, will lead a modified coaching team in the absence of Nienaber and attack coach Felix Jones, who has left to join England.
Replacing them will be former Ireland hooker and Harlequins assistant coach Jerry Flannery, who will take charge of the team’s defence, and former All Black flyhalf Tony Brown, who served as an assistant coach for Japan from 2016 to the 2023 World Cup and was also the Highlanders head coach in 2017, 2021 and 2022. His focus will be on attack.
The duo will complete the Springbok coaching team which consists of Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids and Daan Human, as well as Andy Edwards as Head of Athletic Performance, who were key coaching staff in 2023 and whose contracts were extended midway through 2023 until the conclusion of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Another exciting new addition to the Springbok team will see renowned international referee and four-time Outsurance Referee of the Year, Jaco Peyper – who recently announced his retirement from refereeing – join the team as National Laws Advisor.
Double RWC-winning Springbok eighthman, Duane Vermeulen, has also 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.
Tony Brown.
SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander welcomed the appointments and said he was confident that they would add immense value to the team for their playing and coaching experience, under the guidance of Erasmus.
“We are delighted to announce that Rassie Erasmus will take over the reins as the Springbok head coach once again following his success with the team since 2018, and we believe that with the continuity in the coaching structures and the exciting additions, we are in good hands in the ultimate objective of claiming a hat-trick of World Cup titles,” said Mr Alexander.
“Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery are both former international players and bring fantastic coaching experience, and their skills will complement Mzwandile Stick, Deon Davids, and Daan Human.
“It is also a huge coup to have a world class referee in Jaco Peyper as a member of the management team and to retain his expertise in South African Rugby, as understanding the referees and their analysis of the laws is critical to any team’s success.
“We are excited about this Springbok coaching team, and we’ll be thrilled to see how the double World Champions perform once they return to the field for the first time since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in France last year.”
Jerry Flannery.
Mr Alexander also 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.”
Erasmus, who is recuperating from medical procedures after a freak accident, said he was thankful for the trust placed in him by SA Rugby’s leadership to steer the national team once again, and he was equally thrilled about the new appointments.
“It is a massive honour to coach the Springboks, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me,” said Erasmus. “The main difference between the last four years and this season is that I will be more hands-on at the field sessions.
“In my role as Director of Rugby in the last four years I continued to oversee the team structures and strategy in conjunction with Jacques and the other coaches, so it should be an easy transition back into the head coach role.
Jaco Peyper.
“We already had our first coaching session this week at the hospital, and it’s great to see the enthusiasm among the coaches to get the season underway.”
Erasmus was confident about the player depth available both for the Springboks, where several young players came through the ranks in the last few years to become key members of the 2023 team such as Manie Libbok and Kurt-Lee Arendse, and a number of players coming through at the provincial unions.
“One of our key pillars in the last few years was building player depth and we are excited about the talent available to us this season,” said Erasmus. “Most of the 2023 World Cup-winning players are still available for selection, and several young players now have the luxury of international and World Cup experience, which is invaluable at Test level.
“We have a challenging Test season ahead with a Test Series against Ireland on Saturday 6 and 13 July in Pretoria and Durban, and we face Portugal for the first time ever a week later in Bloemfontein in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.
“We then have an exciting Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign, which features two home tests against New Zealand on Saturday 31 August and 7 September in Johannesburg and Cape Town, before facing Argentina in Nelspruit on Saturday, 28 September.
Duane Vermeulen.
“With the coaching team finalised, we can now focus on planning for the season and the next few years.”
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said that the role of Director of Rugby had been mothballed pending a restructuring of the rugby department of SA Rugby to meet the evolving high performance and participation needs of the sport.
The off-field management team will be announced following the team’s first alignment camp.
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
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
Playing career:
- 2005-2011: Ireland (41 Test caps)
- 2001-2003: Connacht
- 2003-2012: Munster
- 2003: Ireland Development XV selection
Coaching experience:
- 2020-2023: Harlequins defence and lineout coach
- 2015-2019: Munster forwards coach
- 2013-2015: Munster scrum coach
Education:
- Stage 4 assistant coach (Irish Rugby Football Union)
- Masters in Sports Performance (University of Limerick)
- Certified strength and conditioning specialist (National Strength and Conditioning Association)
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Geography (University College Cork)
Content & Images from – South Africa Rugby
The Emerging Ireland team to face the Cheetahs in the final game of the three-match series in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening (kick off 6pm Irish time, 7pm local time) has been named.
Leinster’s James Culhane will lead the team and he forms a new back-row alongside Harry Sheridan and Sean Edogbo, who makes his first start of the tour having come on as a replacement in the 29-24 win over Western Force on Sunday afternoon. Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell locks down with Darragh Murray, who featured in the opening 36-24 victory over the Pumas, with Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.
Darragh Murray of Emerging Ireland scores his sides second try – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
In the backline, Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at out-half and he will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second half replacements against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out. Connacht’s Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, with Ulster’s Zac Ward named in an exciting back tree alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne who moves to the right wing.
Munster loosehead prop George Hadden, who was called up to the squad last weekend, is set to make his first appearance after being named on the bench alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka who started Sunday’s win. Hadden’s provincial team-mate Danny Sheahan provides cover once more at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Charlie Tector are also named on the bench for the Toyota Stadium clash alongside out-half Jack Murphy.
Looking ahead to the game, Emerging Ireland Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part. To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance on Wednesday.
The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them. It has been a fruitful past few weeks to date and we have learned a lot. While our performances haven’t been perfect, the players have embraced the challenge and played some brilliant rugby at times. The action has come thick and fast and we know that we have to be clinical in our execution. We will need to go up another level on Wednesday to get the performance we want and hopefully finish the tour on a high.”
Wednesday’s game will be broadcast once more on IrishRugby+ – click here.
Emerging Ireland (v The Cheetahs, Wednesday, October 9, 7pm local time, 6pm Irish time)
15: Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14: Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
13: Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12: Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11: Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens)
10: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9: Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
1: Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2: Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
3: Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4: Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6: Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
7: Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
8: James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster) (captain)
Replacements:
16: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
17: George Hadden (Garryowen FC/Munster)
18: Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
19: Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20: Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21: Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
22: Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
23: Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Following Emerging Ireland’s 29-24 victory over Western Force in Bloemfontein on Sunday three players, Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Munster) and Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster) will return to their provinces.
The trio will leave South Africa on Monday afternoon and will be available for selection for their respective URC fixtures this weekend.
The squad will visit Heidedal Township this afternoon and will conclude the three-match series on Wednesday evening against The Cheetahs (kick off 7pm local, 6pm Irish time). That match will be live on irishrugby+
Watch the full match back here on irishrugby+
Check out the highlights from the win against Western Force below.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Despite their short preparation time together, and the fact that their opponents were coming off a 10-game Currie Cup season, Emerging Ireland tallied up six tries to secure a 36-24 win at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Ireland Sevens Olympian Zac Ward burst past three defenders for the 14th-minute opener, and a closing penalty try was preceded by scores from Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu, Stephen Smyth, and replacement Gus McCarthy.
“The Pumas had a Currie Cup campaign to prepare for this game and we’ve had six or seven days but I think, to a man, our guys stepped up to the challenge,” said Easterby afterwards.
“I think these tours are always going to be challenging, they’re always going to put us under pressure for the time, but we certainly wouldn’t look for any excuses in terms of our preparation.
“I thought, on the whole, we were outstanding and everyone showed up really well. We got good minutes out of those guys that started, and we got a really good hit out of the guys who came off the bench and they added as well.”
All 23 players got time on the pitch, with only Ulster forward Izuchukwu and Leinster’s James Culhane, who stood out at number 8, having previously played for Emerging Ireland. They were both part of the 2022 tour to South Africa.
Six members of last season’s Ireland Under-20 squad made their Emerging Ireland debuts, including Smyth, Ben O’Connor, and Hugh Gavin as starters. They are all hoping this can be a launchpad towards playing Test rugby.
Of the Bloemfontein bunch from two years ago, six players have since graduated to win Ireland senior caps. The most notable are Jack Crowley, Joe McCarthy, and Calvin Nash, who have been regular starters this year for the back-to-back Guinness Men’s Six Nations champions.
Naas man Jamie Osborne shone during Ireland’s drawn summer series with South Africa, winning his first two caps at full-back, while Ciarán Frawley, who missed out on playing for Emerging Ireland in 2022 due to a shoulder injury, was the late drop goal hero in the second Test against the Springboks.
Speaking about how beneficial an Emerging Ireland tour is from both a playing and coaching perspective, Easterby noted: “Recent history shows that players who have been on this tour have kicked on. That’s part of the plan for this tour, to get guys to understand how we do things.
“There’s lots of great connectivity between the provinces and what they do and what we do. For us as coaches, to get to work with these players individually and as a group, but also they’re seeing the last two years, those guys who have gone on and got capped.
“I guess the challenge for the players on this tour is to make it as hard for us not to pick them over the next six to 12 months, going through to another World Cup cycle.
“So, I think there is that feel that there is genuine opportunity, and the reality is six guys have been capped and 48 caps have been gained by those six guys. The reality is there is a genuine pathway towards playing senior international rugby.”
Easterby and his fellow senior national coaches, Paul O’Connell, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty, brought a 33-strong squad with them to South Africa, and the ten players watching on from the stands today will be itching to line out against Western Force on Sunday afternoon.
With the Toyota Challenge clash with the Toyota Cheetahs next Wednesday completing the short three-match series, the tight turnarounds will certainly keep all involved, including the medical and S&C staff, on their toes.
Asked about any injuries coming out of the tour opener, the former Ireland and British & Irish Lions flanker replied: “I think Mark Donnelly, at the moment, has ice on his ankle. They’re just keeping him off feet. We’ll have a scan on that and we’ll know more about that tomorrow.
“Apart from that, there’s a few bruised and tired bodies, but I think most of them came through pretty well. Fingers crossed that Mark comes through and everyone else does tomorrow when we assess the players off the back of the game.
“Rob Russell as well, Rob came off with a hand injury. Again we’re not sure what that was. He was just struggling to get a grip and was replaced, probably as a matter of caution more than anything.
“That was one that again we’ll assess in the morning, and we’ll make sure that we get ahead of that tomorrow morning when we know a little bit more.”
Meanwhile, giving his reaction afterwards, Emerging Ireland captain Alex Kendellen spoke about how the players have gelled together quickly, and how this first performance, while far from perfect, augurs well for the rest of the tour.
“It was a good game. We talked about building connections on and off the pitch, and I think we showed glimpses of that today,” admitted the 23-year-old skipper.
“It’s good to get the win. I think we saw a few good performances out there and I really enjoyed it. There’s always going to be work-ons.
“We came together last week and we just talked about making connections on and off the pitch. We showed some good things out there. We’ll review that and we’ll get back to it for the Western Force game.
“I think there is a good group there. We’re building nicely. You look at the likes of Sam Prendergast, who is leading us around the park. It’s great to play with players like that and players from other provinces.”
Centre Harry Potter, the former Leicester Tigers back, scored two first-half tries as Western Force beat the Cheetahs 38-24 in today’s other encounter in Bloemfontein. You can watch all of Emerging Ireland’s matches on irishrugby+.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
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