Swys de Bruin has dismissed reports that a bonus dispute with SA Rugby prompted his resignation as Bok Women head coach, revealing instead that his departure centred on disagreements over the team's future direction.
"There was no money issue at all, so that is new to me," De Bruin told Rugby365. "It was just a case of differences of opinion and interference when it came to the next step for the team."
De Bruin confirmed the resignation had been submitted to SA Rugby general manager of high performance Dave Wessels well before Thursday's announcement, with the timing delayed — by mutual agreement with SA Rugby president Mark Alexander — until after this weekend's Test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium. He added that the coaching staff and players were already aware before the public announcement.
"From my side and SA Rugby's side, the plan was to delay it until the Bok Women's match against the Black Ferns. So there were no secrets."
De Bruin joined the programme as a high-performance coach in 2024 before stepping up to head coach ahead of the 2025 World Cup cycle, during which the Bok Women secured a first World Cup quarterfinal berth and recorded a maiden win over the Barbarians.
He leaves with full confidence in interim co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who take charge against New Zealand on Saturday. The pair are unbeaten since assuming the role, having won a series in Fiji and gone through the African tournament in Kenya unscathed.
"I have so much confidence in those two coaches. Anyone who doesn't believe me can come and watch how they coach."