'No money issue': Swys de Bruin sheds light on his resignation
SPOTLIGHT: Swys de Bruin has revealed the real reason behind his resignation as Springbok Women head coach and backed his successors to lead the Bok Women against the Black Ferns at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
De Bruin’s resignation from the Bok Women came as a major shock to the rugby fraternity when the news broke on Thursday.
However, speaking to Rugby365 on Friday, De Bruin revealed that his resignation had been in the works for some time and was simply held back from being announced until after the Bok Women’s clash with the Black Ferns.
“From my side and SA Rugby’s side, I spoke to the president, Mark Alexander, and the plan was to delay it until the Bok Women’s match against the Black Ferns.” The 66-year-old told Rugby365.
“I sent my resignation to Dave Wessels [general manager of High-Performance at SA Rugby] long time ago. The coaches were aware of my resignation, and I know they would’ve told the players.
“So, there were no secrets. I’m not one to keep secrets.”
*Also read: Swys steps away from Bok Women
De Bruin also dismissed reports that he had quit following a dispute with SA Rugby over bonuses allegedly owed to him.
“There was no money issue at all, so that is new to me,” De Bruin said.
Instead, he pointed to differences of opinion and interference over the team’s future direction.
“However, it was just a case of differences of opinion and interference when it came to the next step for the team.”
The rapid rise
De Bruin joined the Bok Women as a high-performance coach in 2024 before taking up the role of head coach ahead of the 2025 World Cup.
In the last two years, he helped develop the team into one of the fastest-rising sides in the women’s game.
The Bok Women recorded their maiden win over the star-studded Barbarians before securing a World Cup quarterfinal spot for the first time in England last year.
Reflecting on his time with the team, De Bruin described the period as a special one.
“It was two wonderful and blessed years.”
The former Lions coach explained that he was originally brought in to help develop up-and-coming coaches, and believes the time is now right for Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September.
The duo is unbeaten since taking charge and have led the Bok Women in Fiji and at the African tournament in Kenya. They will continue as co-coaches against the Black Ferns this weekend.
De Bruin has full confidence in the pair.
“I have so much confidence in those two coaches. They were unbeaten in Africa and went on to win a series in Fiji.
“They are great people and great coaches.
“Anyone who doesn’t believe me can come and watch how they coach.”
