Swys de Bruin has reportedly vacated his position as Springbok Women head coach following a dispute with SA Rugby, leaving the team without their head coach ahead of Saturday's test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.
De Bruin has not been at training since Monday and will not be on the bench for the Soweto fixture. SA Rugby has enlisted Junior Boks assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa as a replacement on the technical staff.
According to Netwerk24, the dispute centres on win bonuses from the team's tours to Africa and Fiji — tours De Bruin did not attend in person — which he reportedly maintained he was entitled to receive. He is also said to have been unhappy about alleged interference during his tenure.
De Bruin joined the Springbok Women setup as performance coach in 2024 before stepping up to head coach ahead of the current World Cup cycle. He led the side to a historic quarterfinal at the 2025 World Cup in England — South Africa's deepest run at a Women's World Cup — before losing to New Zealand. He had extended his contract post-tournament and was expected to remain in charge through to the 2029 World Cup in Australia.
Rapport reports that De Bruin is now a target for Paarl Boys' High, with Jake White also said to be in talks with the school.