Dispute leads to departure of popular Springbok Women’s coach – report
· The South African
Swys de Bruin has endured a highly successful tenure with the Springbok Women, the highlight of which saw the popular coach lead the team to a historic World Cup campaign in England last year.
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He was expected to continue coaching the team through to the 2029 World Cup, but according to Rapport, it’s stated that he has left his post with immediate effect.
The report suggests that his exit comes as a result of a dispute with SA Rugby over win bonuses related to the team’s tours to Africa and Fiji. Although De Bruin was part of those tours in person, he believed he was still entitled to bonuses that never materialised.
Swys de Bruin makes abrupt exit
De Bruin is already said to have stepped away from the Springbok Women’s camp as they prepare for this Saturday’s Test against New Zealand’s Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
According to Rapport, the Springbok Women have now enlisted the help of Junior Boks assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa, while De Bruin could take up on opportunity with Paarl Boys’ High.
High hopes dashed
Just last year, De Bruin said “a giant has awoken” after the Springbok Women departed Rugby World Cup 2025 on the back of making history.
“It’s all about the difference they made for the people back home,” an emotional De Bruin said at the time.
“I’ve been blessed with 38 years in professional rugby and I’ve never worked with a team like this.
“It’s just a bunch of fighters. I cry every day with pride. It’s just unreal how they never moan, they just go, go, go. A giant has awoken in South African women’s rugby.”
And as the team looked to the future, De Bruin urged SA Rugby and fans alike not to let the momentum fade.
“We can’t stop now. This is not the end, it’s the beginning. We’ve shown we can compete. Now we need more Tests, stronger competitions, more game time. We must go from strength to strength.”