Springbok Women rocked by Swys de Bruin exit before Black Ferns clash

The news comes just two days before South Africa are due to face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with De Bruin already understood to have left the team's preparations.

SA Rugby confirmed on Thursday that De Bruin has stepped down, although the governing body did not comment on the reasons behind his departure. Instead, it announced that Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who led the team during their successful campaigns in Kenya and Fiji earlier this year, would continue as co-head coaches.

"Media are advised that Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who led the team to success in Kenya and Fiji earlier this year, will continue to act as co-head coaches of the Springbok Women’s team following the decision by Swys de Bruin to step down from the role," SA Rugby said.

"No further comment will be made in the short-term to allow the team to focus on their match with New Zealand’s Black Ferns."

De Bruin's departure brings a sudden end to a successful spell in charge of the Springbok Women.

He joined the women's programme in 2024 and guided South Africa to their best-ever Women's Rugby World Cup campaign in England last year, when they reached the quarter-finals for the first time before losing 46-17 to eventual champions New Zealand.

His contract was subsequently extended, and he was expected to remain in charge through to the 2029 World Cup in Australia.

His exit now leaves South Africa without their head coach for Saturday's historic meeting with the Black Ferns, which will be the first Test between the two sides on South African soil.