Swys de Bruin has left his post as head coach of the Springbok Women's team following an unexpected event just days before the historic home match against the Black Ferns from New Zealand.
Due to Swys de Bruin's departure, the Springbok Women's team will compete in Saturday's confrontation under temporary leadership. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have been appointed as co-head coaches.
Reports of disagreements between the coach and SA Rugby had already circulated before the announcement of his departure. Currently, SA Rugby remains silent regarding the reasons for De Bruin's exit, insisting that all focus must be on the game in Soweto on Saturday.
The announcement of his departure coincided with the unveiling of the squad for the long-awaited match at the FNB Stadium. This added intrigue to the contest, which itself is an important test of South Africa's progress since the Women's Rugby World Cup last year.
SA Rugby announced that Johannes-Haupt and September, who led the team to success at the African Women's Rugby Cup in Kenya and during the recent tour of Fiji, will continue their duties in the match against the Black Ferns. SA Rugby stated that no further comments would be made in the near future to allow the team to concentrate on the game.
The task of facing a world second-ranked team now falls to the experienced Springbok Women's squad, led by captain Babalwa Latsha. The starting fifteen includes 11 players who participated against New Zealand in last year's World Cup quarter-finals.
Latsha, Sanelisiwe Charlie, and Lindelwa Gwala will once again feature in the front row, while Vainah Ubisi and Catha Jacobs, both replacements for players from Exeter, will enter the starting lineup. Ubisi's inclusion is particularly significant given her noticeable improvement after the World Cup, when limited preparation due to injury reduced her impact.
Babalwa Latsha will lead the experimental #BokWomen team in the battle against the Black Ferns on Saturday. Danelle Lochner will also be in the squad, playing in the mid-field alongside Jacobs, while Sizophila Solontsi and Aseza Hele join the backline trio. Johannes-Haupt believes that the changes since the World Cup have given the Bok Women greater depth, emphasizing that they will not change their identity to face New Zealand.
She noted: 'We were able to create additional depth since that match at the beginning of this season when we played in the African Women's Rugby Cup and two series against the USA Eagles Women and Fijiana.' She added: 'We have certain characteristics as Springbok Women, and this includes very physical play in our first phase, so there is no reason to deviate from that.'
Continuity is also observed in the backline: Byrhandré Dolf, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga, and Libbie Janse van Rensburg retain their positions. Unam Tose replaces injured Nadine Roos in the halfback position, and Alichia Arries starts on the wing. Maceala Samboya moves to the bench.
The substitutions also demonstrate the coaching staff's expanded capabilities, as Shiniqwa Lamprecht and rising star Logan Welman offer additional versatility, as both can replace players in both the forward and back lines. Johannes-Haupt hopes that the news of De Bruin's sudden departure will not be a distraction, and that the players will not be discouraged by this event.
The match will start at 13:30 on Saturday and will be part of a historic double-header at the FNB Stadium, where the Springboks will meet the All Blacks later that same day.