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“The players are buying into what I am selling.”

In a world of supply and demand, new Springbok attack coach Tony Brown’s expansive approach is a popular brand.

Speaking ahead of the second match of South Africa’s year-end tour – against England at Twickenham on Saturday – he waxed lyrical about the quality of the talent he has at his disposal and the progress they are making in terms of evolving the Bok game.

Brown spoke of the ‘honour’ of being involved with the Springbok set-up, adding that he was “satisfied” with the way the team’s attack has been evolving.

However, he readily admits there was work ahead to achieve their goal of becoming the best attacking team in the world.

“It’s a massive honour to join [coach] the Springboks,” Brown said at the team’s base in London.

“They have won the past two World Cups and [is] the No.1 team in the world.”

He spoke of the ‘fantastic talent’ in the team.

“For me, as an attack coach, to get hold of that talent – not have free licence – but encourage them in terms of the way they look at the game,” he said of the new ‘expansive’ vision in the Bok set-up.

“We try to use the natural ability of some of the players, around their X-factor and physical ability,” the All Black added.

(WATCH as Springbok attack coach Tony Brown speaks about the team’s evolution on attack….)

The ‘evolution’ started before his arrival, between the 2019 and 2023 World Cup wins, but Brown is looking to take it to the next level.

“I have only been here six months,” he said at the team hotel at the affluent suburb of Teddington in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

“We want to see if we can get some of our special athletes the ball in space and give them an opportunity to be great on the pitch.

“Hopefully it goes well for the rest of this tour, into next year and if that goes well, through to the next [2027] World Cup.”

Brown described as “encouraging” the team’s desire to become one of the best attacking teams in the world.

“It has been a great six months and we have made a lot of progress.

“The players are buying into what I am selling.

“We still have to attack the way the Springboks play the game – which is physical and on top of the gain line.

“I will never teach the Springboks to play like the All Blacks.

“We are slowly understanding what that [attacking system] looks like.

“This time next year we must improve a massive amount.

“We always have to evolve and luckily [Bok head coach] Rassie [Erasmus] has allowed me to do that.”

The Springboks are aware of the challenge presented by the short turnaround between their match on Sunday against Scotland and Saturday’s forthcoming Test against England in London.

They are focused on ensuring the players are fresh physically and mentally when the sides cross paths for the first time since the 2023 World Cup semifinal – a 16-15 win for the Boks in Paris.

The Boks travelled from Edinburgh to London on Monday and started Tuesday off with a gym session and an afternoon field training session to kick-start their preparations for Saturday’s Test.

Rassie Erasmus will only announce his match-day squad on Thursday.

@rugby365com