Swys De Bruin Resigns As Springbok Women Head Coach After Bonus Dispute
- Swys De Bruin’s sudden departure has left the Springbok Women facing an unexpected change just days before a major Test
- The coach’s exit comes after a reported disagreement with SA Rugby, with more details emerging about what happened behind the scenes
- The Springbok Women now have a temporary coaching arrangement as attention turns to their highly anticipated clash with New Zealand
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Swys De Bruin has reportedly resigned as Springbok Women head coach following a dispute with SA Rugby over win bonuses, leaving the team without their permanent coach days before a major Test against New Zealand.
According to Rapport, De Bruin is no longer part of the Springbok Women’s preparations for their upcoming encounter with the Black Ferns. The match is scheduled for Saturday at FNB Stadium, with the coaching change coming just days before kick-off.
In the meantime, Junior Boks assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa has joined the setup to help guide the squad. He normally works alongside Junior Boks head coach Kevin Foote.
Bonus dispute reportedly behind exit
The reported disagreement between Swys de Bruin and SA Rugby centred on win bonuses linked to the Springbok Women’s tours of Africa and Fiji. De Bruin did not travel with the squad for those assignments.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
However, the former Lions and Springbok assistant coach reportedly believed he remained entitled to the bonuses despite not being present on the tours. SA Rugby has not publicly set out its position on the matter.
There were also reported concerns about alleged interference during De Bruin’s time in charge. These issues are understood to have contributed to the breakdown between the coach and the rugby governing body.
The dispute comes at a significant point for the Springbok Women, with De Bruin having helped oversee the team’s most successful World Cup campaign to date. His reported departure now brings an unexpected change to the national setup.
Source: Getty Images
World Cup success followed by sudden departure
De Bruin leaves the Springbok Women setup following a landmark 2025 World Cup campaign in England. Under his leadership, South Africa reached the quarter-finals for the first time before New Zealand ended their run.
The coach had been expected to continue at the helm as the team built towards the 2029 World Cup in Australia. His reported exit therefore represents an unexpected change to those plans.
Following his departure from the national setup, De Bruin is also reportedly exploring a possible role at Paarl Boys’ High.
De Bruin’s tenure had also seen the Springbok Women gain greater attention after their historic World Cup run. The quarter-final appearance represented a new benchmark for the side and provided momentum heading into the next phase of their international programme.
Swys De Bruin’s Springbok Women legacy recognised
Briefly News also reported that Swys de Bruin was among the nominees for the 2025 SA Rugby Awards after guiding the Springbok Women through a historic campaign.
De Bruin earned recognition in the Coach of the Year category after the team reached the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
