Former All Blacks first-five Tony Brown is reportedly on the verge of joining South Africa, as the Springboks look to finalise their new coaching set-up.
According to South African outlet Rapport, Brown will take charge of the Springboks attack and work under the returning Rassie Erasmus at the helm of the world champions.
While boasting head-coaching experience with the Highlanders, Brown has most recently been part of Japan's coaching set-up, working alongside compatriot Jamie Joseph.
As a head coach, Brown's Highlanders won 19 of 41 Super Rugby games, before he finished in Dunedin at the end of the 2022 season and passed the torch to incumbent Clark Dermody.
Brown, 49, was also reportedly courted by new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, when he first applied for the role in 2019. Instead, he committed to Joseph, as the pair continued their work with Japan through until the end of the 2023 World Cup.
Brown and Joseph were instrumental in the upward trajectory of Japanese rugby, notably seeing them reach the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals, where the 'Brave Blossoms' were beaten by the Springboks.
Rapport adds that former Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery will be named South Africa's new defence coach, filling the role vacated by compatriot Felix Jones, who has joined England's new set-up after last year's World Cup in France.
