Former Sharks boss and scrumhalf Kevin Putt has extolled the impact of Tony Brown for the Springboks, highlighting the attack guru’s innovation and backline tactics.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with New Zealand’s Herald, Putt highlights the influence of the Kiwi tactician in his first season as a member of Rassie Erasmus’ backroom staff.
He observes that the world champion Boks, historically dangerous with their physically dominant forwards, have already evolved under former All Blacks playmaker Brown, emphasising inventiveness.
A rare Bok whitewash of the Wallabies Down Under has set Erasmus’ men up nicely for a rematch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, when the All Blacks face the South Africans on 31 August at Ellis Park, before a 7 September duel in Cape Town.
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“I’m always scared to give the credit to someone because the only other guy that’s as innovative as him [Brown] is actually Rassie Erasmus, who is bonkers anyway, always comes up with weird stuff,” said Putt, who also played 11 tour matches for South Africa after relocating from New Zealand in the 1990s.
“It could be Rassie himself but I’ve got to believe because of the inventiveness [of the] backline work, it’s got to be Brown.
“Historically, they’ve been big men that have looked to beat the heck out of people – that hasn’t changed in any way – but they’ve just added a few strings to their bow.
“They’ve just expanded their game, they’re a lot more inventive. You’re seeing some excitement, the depth of their squad is to be envied throughout the world. Look, I’d be scared [if I were the All Blacks] in Joburg that’s for sure.”
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