Swys de Bruin leaves a legacy of innovation and a blueprint for sustained success at the Springbok Women.
When Swys de Bruin stepped into SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department in August 2024, the Springbok Women were a team searching for a catalyst. Two years later, as he steps down, he leaves behind a transformed programme, a global footprint, and a blueprint that has forever altered the trajectory of South African women’s rugby.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander extended heartfelt thanks to the outgoing head coach, acknowledging his fundamental role in the team’s meteoric rise.
Under De Bruin’s guidance, the Springbok Women achieved unprecedented success. They reached the quarter-finals for the first time at last year's Women’s Rugby World Cup in England while breaking into the top 10 of the World Rugby rankings for the first time. They also secured 14 wins in 21 matches, defeating higher-ranked sides like Japan, Italy, and the USA.
While the South African team's forward dominance continues to be the foundation of their play, they have captivated global audiences with inventive moves –including a viral 14-player lineout and setting a maul from a scrum against the Black Ferns.
