Springbok Women to face Black Ferns without coach Swys de Bruin

The Springbok Women will face the Black Ferns on Saturday without head coach Swys de Bruin, who has stepped down from his role with immediate effect. SA Rugby confirmed the decision in a statement on September 3, 2026, announcing the matchday squad for the historic fixture at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The departure comes just two days before the first-ever women's Test between the two nations on South African soil. De Bruin, who was under contract through the 2029 Rugby World Cup, resigned amid a dispute over a winning bonus he believed he was entitled to. His exit marks a sudden change for the team he guided to its first-ever knockout match at last year's World Cup in England. SA Rugby stated that no further comment would be made on the coaching change to allow the team to focus on the upcoming match. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who led the team to successful campaigns in Kenya and Fiji earlier this year, will continue as co-head coaches. Johannes-Haupt expressed confidence in the squad selected for the encounter.