Forty-eight hours
That is how long Swys de Bruin left the Springboks Women before they face the Black Ferns. The head coach resigned with immediate effect on Thursday, two days out from the biggest fixture of their year.
Reports point to a dispute over a win bonus he believed he was owed.
SA Rugby confirmed the departure and volunteered almost nothing beyond it. The union buried the line inside the release naming its 23-player squad: “Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who guided the team to success in Kenya and Fiji earlier this year, will continue to serve as co-head coaches of the Springbok Women following Swys de Bruin’s decision to step down.” No further comment before kick-off.
Try it for $0.99.
He was contracted to 2029
De Bruin was not a coach on borrowed time. His deal ran to the 2029 World Cup, handed to him after he took this group to their first knockout match. A long-term appointment, a settled plan, and it has come apart over a bonus payment on the eve of a Test against New Zealand.
Johannes-Haupt and September pick it up from here, and neither is walking in cold. Both have already run the side this season, through the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the series against the US Eagles and Fiji.
Latsha leads out a side with scores to settle
Prop Babalwa Latsha captains in Johannesburg, in what will be the first meeting between the two countries on South African soil.
Six of the forwards were on the field less than a year ago when the Black Ferns won the World Cup quarter-final in England 46-17. Vainah Ubisi and Catha Jacobs, replacements that day, start this time, coming in for the retired Nolusindiso Booi and the injured Sinazo Mcatshulwa.
Latsha packs down alongside Sanelisiwe Charlie and Lindelwa Gwala. Unam Tose and Libbie Janse van Rensburg form the half-back pairing, Aphiwe Ngwevu and Zintle Mpupha take the midfield, Byrhandre Dolf starts at full-back.
“We have certain traits as Springbok Women, including being very physical at the set-piece, so there is no reason to move away from that,” Johannes-Haupt said.
Kick-off is Saturday at 13:30 French time, ahead of the third Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Discover the rest of the RUGBY news on our mathodds website and app!
in your pocket.
Real-time notifications & alerts
Leave a Reply