'I’m not one to keep secrets': Swys de Bruin lifts the lid on his abrupt Springbok Women exit

Swys de Bruin has opened up about his shock exit as head coach of the Springbok Women.

This week, ahead of the team’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry clash with the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium, rumours emerged that De Bruin had resigned.

Later, when the Boks announced their match day 23 for the Soweto fixture, SA Rugby confirmed that the 66-year-old had left his post.

During his two years in charge – which De Bruin described as “wonderful” – the former Lions and Springbok Men attack coach led his team to the knockout stages of a Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time ever.

In an interview with Rugby365’s Leezil Hendricks, De Bruin said contrary to reports suggesting his departure was related to bonuses allegedly owed to him, that information was “new to me”.

“From my side and SA Rugby’s side, I spoke to the president, Mark Alexander, and the plan was to delay it until the Bok Women’s match against the Black Ferns,” De Bruin exclusively told Rugby365.

“I sent my resignation to Dave Wessels [general manager of High-Performance at SA Rugby] a long time ago. The coaches were aware of my resignation, and I know they would’ve told the players. So, there were no secrets. I’m not one to keep secrets.”

On Saturday the Springbok Women will play the Black Ferns for just the third time ever, ahead of their male counterparts third Test in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

Without De Bruin at the helm, South Africa will be led by assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who have been appointed co-coaches.

Already the pair have built a sturdy reputation. This year they led the Boks in an unbeaten Rugby Africa Women’s Cup campaign and in a two-Test win against the Fijiana XV in Fiji. It is likely that the duo will lead South Africa in WXV Global Series fixtures against Wales, Italy and Ireland.

“I have so much confidence in those two coaches,” De Bruin said. “They were unbeaten in Africa and went on to win a series in Fiji. They are great people and great coaches. Anyone who doesn’t believe me can come and watch how they coach.”

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