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Live sport on SN this weekendSpringbok Women rugby coach resigns on eve of Black Ferns clash
Sport Nation •  September 4th, 2026 9:48 am
Swys de Bruin | Photo: Craig Morrison/Photosport
The Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin has quit his role just days before hosting the Black Ferns in South Africa.
South Africa Rugby confirmed De Bruin’s departure on Thursday, but offered no further details, saying the focus would remain on Saturday’s historic clash at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.
Assistants Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will take charge as co-coaches for the match, which will serve as a curtain-raiser to the men’s Springboks-All Blacks Test.
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It will also be the first time the Springbok Women have hosted New Zealand on home soil.
De Bruin reportedly became frustrated over the issue of win bonuses linked to South Africa’s successful Rugby Africa Women’s Cup defence and their recent tour of Fiji. However, those claims have not been confirmed by South Africa Rugby.
The coach took charge in August 2024 and guided South Africa to its first Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final last year. The team also broke into the world’s top 10 during his tenure.
His sudden exit leaves the Springbok Women facing one of their biggest tests of the year with an interim coaching team and little time to prepare for a powerful Black Ferns side on Saturday.
The match kicks off at 11.30pm (NZ time)
