A sudden change has reportedly hit the Springbok Women setup, with popular head coach Swys de Bruin said to have stepped down from his position following a dispute with SA Rugby.
According to a report by Rapport, De Bruin has left the role with immediate effect after an alleged disagreement over win bonuses connected to the team’s tours of Africa and Fiji.
The reported departure comes as a surprise, particularly after De Bruin helped oversee one of the most significant periods in the history of South African women’s rugby.
REPORTED BONUS DISPUTE BEHIND DE BRUIN EXIT
De Bruin was reportedly unhappy over bonuses linked to victories achieved during the Springbok Women’s tours.
The report claims the coach believed he was entitled to certain win bonuses despite being part of the tours, but that the payments did not materialise.
Neither the reported dispute nor the circumstances surrounding De Bruin’s departure should be treated as officially confirmed beyond the details contained in the report.
What is clear is that the Springbok Women have been forced to deal with an abrupt coaching change while preparing for a major Test against New Zealand.
SPRINGBOK WOMEN TURN TO MELUSI MTHETHWA
De Bruin is reportedly no longer with the team as preparations continue for Saturday’s showdown against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
The Springbok Women have subsequently brought in Junior Boks assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa to assist with the team.
The sudden development also raises questions about the future direction of the women’s programme, with De Bruin previously expected to remain involved through to the 2029 Rugby World Cup.
Reports have also suggested that the experienced coach could have an opportunity waiting at Paarl Boys’ High.
DE BRUIN HELPED CREATE A NEW SPRINGBOK WOMEN ERA
De Bruin’s reported exit comes less than a year after he helped guide the Springbok Women through a historic Rugby World Cup campaign in England.
Following their impressive run at the tournament, De Bruin spoke passionately about the progress of South African women’s rugby and the mentality of his players.
He described the squad as a group of fighters and declared that a “giant has awoken” in South African women’s rugby.
His message after the World Cup was equally clear: the team needed more international Tests, tougher competitions and greater exposure if it was going to continue progressing.
‘WE CAN’T STOP NOW’
De Bruin’s post-World Cup message now carries added significance.
The coach had warned against allowing the team’s momentum to disappear after its breakthrough performances on the global stage.
“We can’t stop now. This is not the end, it’s the beginning,” he said.
He called for more Tests, stronger competitions and increased game time as the Springbok Women looked to build on their historic progress.
Now, with De Bruin reportedly out of the picture, SA Rugby faces another important challenge: ensuring that the momentum he helped create does not disappear with him.
