Statement: SA Rugby confirm the future of Springbok Women boss Swys de Bruin

SA Rugby have confirmed that Swys de Bruin has stepped away as head coach of the Springbok Women two days before their Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry match with the Black Ferns.

In the interim, assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have been announced as co-head coaches. The pair have led South Africa to title success at this year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Kenya, and in their tour whitewash of the Fijiana XV.

SA Rugby, in their squad announcement, said: “Media are advised that Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who led the team to success in Kenya and Fiji earlier this year, will continue to act as co-head coaches of the Springbok Women’s team following the decision by Swys de Bruin to step down from the role. No further comment will be made in the short-term to allow the team to focus on their match with New Zealand’s Black Ferns.”

It has been reported by Rugby365 that SA Rugby have also enlisted the aid of Junior Boks assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa for this weekend’s game.

The news that Swys de Bruin has left his role as Springbok Women head coach came just hours after rumours emerged in South African media that he had resigned amid a dispute with SA Rugby.

During his two years in charge of South Africa’s women, De Bruin took the Boks to new heights; first as performance coach and then as head coach. At Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, South Africa progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition for the first time.

That afternoon they faced this weekend’s opponents, New Zealand, at Exeter’s Sandy Park and lost 46-17. But went into the break of the knockout tie level at 10-all.

Babalwa Latsha, who scored the first try in last year’s match-up, will captain the Springboks at FNB Stadium this weekend. In total, 11 players that started the Devon clash are in Saturday’s starting XV.