female
international women
Swys de Bruin has taken up his first coaching role since stepping down as Springbok Women head coach last month.
The 66-year-old has joined Paarl Boys’ High School as their head of coaching.
It’s a position his son, Neil, left in December 2025 to join the Blue Bulls as their attack coach in the United Rugby Championship.
In early September, ahead of the Springbok Women’s clash with the Black Ferns in rugby’s biggest rivalry, it was confirmed that De Bruin had suddenly stepped down from his role as head coach.
During his time with the Springbok Women, De Bruin led the team to its first women’s tournament Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and a record 10th place in the World Rugby rankings.
The coach later revealed that a disagreement with SA Rugby ultimately decided his departure, and De Bruin will now call the Western Cape and Boishaai home.
“Swys is one of the leading coaches in our country and we wish him all the best for the future,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said in September.
“We respect his decision to continue his career and sincerely thank him for his contribution to the development of women’s rugby.
“Our team developed a unique style of play and an unpredictability that attracted huge attention. Who will forget the 14-man line-up or setting up a maul from the scrum in that quarter-final against the Black Ferns.”
“Swys quickly caught on with fans and supporters of the women’s game and that relationship contributed to growing support for the Springbok Women. It also attracted more corporate support.”
Over the years, Paarl Boys’ High School has produced a number of Springboks, including Thomas du Toit, Frans Malherbe and Evan Roos.
Paarl Boys’ High School also announced the appointment of George Earle as the team’s new head coach. The former Scarlets, Cardiff and Colomiers lock has joined the 2025 first XV coaching staff.
Earle takes over from Sean Erasmus, who joined Stellenbosch University’s Maties program as their head coach in August.