De Bruin keeps focus on next gen amid coaching speculations
SPOTLIGHT: With the Springbok Women securing their first-ever World Cup play-off spot, calls have grown for Swys de Bruin to extend his stay with the South African side.
Since joining the Springbok Women set-up in August 2024, De Bruin has overseen some remarkable milestones.
In less than a year, the Bok Women broke into the top ten of the world rankings and reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup. His impact, both on and off the field, has been immense.
However, his appointment was initially only until the conclusion of the World Cup.
De Bruin was brought in as the performance coach, but at the tournament, he stepped into the role of head coach.
Now, the question is whether De Bruin will return to his original role as performance lead for SA Rugby or remain head coach.
Recent media reports suggested that De Bruin is set to continue as head coach of the Springbok Women for the next four years, which would keep him in charge until the 2029 World Cup.
At this stage, however, it remains speculation.
A reliable source informed Rugby365, that De Bruin has not signed a new deal and remains contracted as performance coach until 2027.
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Meanwhile, SA Rugby confirmed that the current Springbok Women’s coaching staff – including De Bruin – will attend the 2025 U20 Women’s Week in Johannesburg.
Laurian Johannes-Haupt will attend matches on Monday and Wednesday, while Swys de Bruin and Bafana Nhleko will be present at Queens High School on the final day, Friday.
De Bruin expressed excitement about assessing the talent on show at the tournament, which plays a crucial role in ensuring promising young women are identified, developed, and supported, strengthening provincial and national teams for the future.
“We have seen what momentum was created by our squad during the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup,” said De Bruin.
“We want to build on that and make sure we have the best athletes available for the next World Cup in Australia in 2029. We already identified some talent this season at this age group, and I am sure more will emerge next week.”
Among those identified are Western Province flyhalf Anja le Roux and Bulls Daisies loose forward Bronishia Hess. Both were part of the national training squad that prepared for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar in June but missed out on selection due to injury.
A debutant at the Antananarivo tournament, Daisies wing Patience Mokone, will support her younger sibling, Thato Mokone, who will start on the wing for the Pretoria side.
The Capetonians are expected to be tough opponents, with their squad also featuring Logan Welman and Donëy Fillies, who have already played senior rugby for Western Province in the Women’s Premier Division. Stella Ncube (wing, Golden Lions) and Neidene Solomons (flanker, Free State) are also among the Premier Division regulars.
Former Springbok Women players Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen and Rumandi Potgieter will coach the Lions.
Additional source: SA Rugby
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