Springbok Jesse Kriel on the ‘massive’ influence of coaching guru Tony Brown

Two-time defending Rugby World Cup winners South Africa have looked frighteningly impressive in attack this year as they embark on their quest for Rugby Championship glory. The Boks haven’t won that title since 2019 but they’re well on their way thanks to an All Black.

Earlier this year, former New Zealand flyhalf Tony Brown took up an opportunity to join Rassie Erasmus’ coaching staff in South Africa. Brown has an impressive coaching CV which includes stints with Otago, the Highlanders, Japan, the Sunwolves and now the Springboks.

With Brown joining former Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery as another one of the team’s assistant coaches, the Springboks looked to get even better after winning the sport's ultimate prize last year. Jesse Kriel insisted on Monday the Boks have done just that.

South Africa split a two-Test series with Ireland last month before then putting on a massive score against Portugal. The Springboks took things to an all-new level with a couple of statement wins over the Wallabies in Australia earlier this month.

While everyone involved in the Springboks’ coaching setup deserves praise for their eye-catching performances to start the new four-year World Cup cycle, it’s hard to look past Brown and how the rugby guru has helped raise the world champs’ game.

“Brownie has obviously been massive since he’s come in. He’s brought a great energy and a great change, not a change in mindset but a great way of seeing attack,” Kriel told reporters in Johannesburg.

“I think he’s got the guys in the room really excited which is awesome. I also think he’s got us playing a really exciting brand of rugby that the guys are enjoying.

“It’s nice to get onto the field and be really excited about how you want to play and I think as a player that’s a really great thing to have.

“You can see quite a bit of change but obviously you keep the core of what you’ve already built on for the last couple of years,” he added.

“Brownie has come in with some different thoughts and different ways he sees attacking rugby and also got a lot of guys using skills they wouldn’t normally use… I can name one to 15 and you’ve got guys with amazing skill sets.

“It’s nice to see guys like that have started to use those skills and have expressed themselves.”

It’s a big week for Brown with the Springboks assistant set to coach against the All Blacks in his new role for the first time. The New Zealander was linked with an assistant coach position with the All Blacks before Jamie Joseph was overlooked for the top job in favour of Scott Robertson.

But the All Blacks’ loss has been the Springboks’ gain. The world champions are playing an impressive brand of rugby at the moment, and that form sets the stage for what is already a highly-anticipated bout between two heavyweights this weekend.

South Africa host arch-rivals New Zealand in a ‘rematch’ of last year’s Rugby World Cup Final. Johannesburg’s Ellis Park will host The Rugby Championship clash on the night of August 31 (local time) before they trade blows again a week later in Cape Town.

“It’s a massive Test match,” Kriel said. “We all know against New Zealand it’s pretty big but really exciting. As a player, you want to be involved in these kind of Test matches.

“Everyone’s crossing fingers to hopefully be involved and it will be another great Test match.”