SA Rugby hail ‘leading coach’ Swys de Bruin after Springbok Women exit

SA Rugby President, Mark Alexander, has described outgoing Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin as one of the “leading coaches in the country”.

Last week, De Bruin’s resignation from the South Africa set-up was unexpectedly announced in the lead-up to their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry encounter with the Black Ferns at Soweto’s FNB Stadium.

De Bruin initially joined the union’s high-performance department in August 2024 before being appointed Springbok Women boss.

During his time in charge of the team, the 66-year-old led the Springbok Women to new heights, headlined by their run to the quarter-finals of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. The team also ranked among the top 10 women’s rugby nations in the world for the first time.

His tenure included wins against Japan, Italy and the USA Women’s Eagles. In total, De Bruin won 14 of the 21 Test matches he presided over.

Mark Alexander, SA Rugby President, said: “Swys is one of the leading coaches in our country and we wish him well for the future. We respect his decision to move forward in his career and thank him sincerely for his contribution to the growth of women’s rugby.”

Following the departure of De Bruin, SA Rugby have confirmed that the 66-year-old’s former assistants, Franzel September and Laurian Johannes?Haupt, will lead the Springbok Women across their WXV Global Series campaign.

Across September and October, South Africa will play Test matches against Wales, Italy, Spain and Ireland in Europe and at home.

“Our team developed a unique style of play and an unpredictability that captured massive attention. Who will forget the 14?player lineout or setting up a maul from a scrum in that quarter?final against the Black Ferns.

“Swys quickly endeared himself to fans and supporters of the women’s game and that connection contributed to the growing support behind the Springbok Women. It also attracted greater corporate backing.”