Tony Brown gives Springboks a new edge, says All Blacks great Josh Kronfeld

Former New Zealand flanker Josh Kronfeld believes Tony Brown’s influence has transformed the Springboks’ attacking approach and made them an even more difficult opponent for the All Blacks.

Brown joined South Africa’s coaching staff in 2024 and has brought additional attacking ideas to a side already renowned for its powerful forwards and strength in the aerial contest.

Kronfeld, speaking in an interview with Betway, said Brown’s appointment immediately made him concerned about New Zealand’s prospects against the reigning world champions.

“They are world champions and number one in the world for a good reason. Rassie Erasmus is a great coach, but Tony Brown from the Highlanders has added a whole new dynamic. When I saw that they had signed Tony, I just went, ‘We’re in real trouble,’” Kronfeld said.

Brown previously coached in New Zealand and, according to Kronfeld, repeatedly found ways for teams with less physical power than their opponents to disrupt matches and force the opposition away from its preferred style.

“He was a coach when he was in New Zealand and has always been able to take a side that probably didn’t have the power of their opponents, but he always found a way to unhinge them, which makes them do things that they would not normally do.

“He is just really astute in the game or the art of playing rugby. Again, he has that quiet calmness and authority around him. The Springboks’ getting Tony was a massive coup for them.”

Kronfeld said South Africa’s position at the top of the world rankings did not guarantee dominance, with the leading nations now closely matched.

“They’re heading in the right direction, but you’re going to need players that just offer up something a little bit different, especially when you come up against your typical bogey teams in those quarter- and semi-final situations.

“The Boks are number one in the world, but the difference between one and five is not much these days. The top four could easily interchange over a season and none of us would bat an eyelid.

“What I am enjoying is that there’s a degree of difference across all the teams at the moment. We saw the French come here, it was only their B team, but they were so good. Playing rugby as it should be.”

Kronfeld also described touring South Africa as a distinct challenge for New Zealand’s players, particularly those experiencing the country for the first time.

He said the visitors would have to deal not only with an unfamiliar environment but also with the pride of the South African team and the expectations of supporters across the country.

“You can never understand it until you go over and experience South Africa for yourself. There’s a number of the boys on this tour who have never been to South Africa,” Kronfeld noted.

“One, they won’t know what to expect when they play in South Africa, two, against South African pride and three, against the whole South African people and a country. It’s quite a unique sensation. It’s a unique environment to be in.”

The former All Black added that the outcome of the Greatest Rivalry Series could have a significant bearing on New Zealand’s preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

A series victory would, in his view, provide a major lift in confidence before New Zealand travelled across the Tasman, while defeat could force the side to search for new solutions.

“If we were to win the series, it would have massive implications going to Australia, crossing the ditch and doing the job there. There will be such self-belief.

“But if the flip side happened, heaven forbid, then yes, that would have an impact. It would mean we would have to be coming up and trying to find something new.

“My feeling is it won’t be that. It’ll be a tough tussle, and everything will go down to the wire. Of every nation I’ve been to, it’s easily the hardest.”