The worst kept secret in schoolboy rugby has finally been rubber-stamped. Swys de Bruin, the architect behind the Springbok Women’s historic rise up the world rankings, is trading international rugby for the hallowed turf of Boishaai.
Paarl Boys High confirmed on Monday what the rugby grapevine had been whispering for weeks: De Bruin will take over as head of coaching at one of South African rugby’s most prestigious nurseries, succeeding his son Neil, who held the position until 2025. George Earle, a former Cheetahs and Lions stalwart, steps in as first-team coach alongside the De Bruin dynasty.
A legacy worth celebrating
“Mr De Bruin was the head coach of the Springbok Women until August 2026 and brings decades of international rugby knowledge and experience to HJS,” Paarl Boys High said in their announcement, though the statement doesn’t begin to capture the transformative impact he had on women’s rugby in South Africa.
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De Bruin joined SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department in August 2024 and seamlessly transitioned into leading the Springbok Women’s coaching group during their preparation for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. What followed was nothing short of revolutionary.
Under his guidance, the Springbok Women achieved their best-ever result at the global showpiece by reaching the quarter-finals, where only the mighty Black Ferns could halt their march. The team also smashed through the glass ceiling to break into the top 10 of the World Rugby rankings for the first time—a watershed moment for South African women’s rugby.
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Schoolboy rugby’s gain
Paarl Boys High are landing one of South African rugby’s sharpest minds at a time when the school is looking to reassert its dominance on the schoolboy circuit. De Bruin brings decades of international rugby knowledge, from his previous stints in professional rugby to his recent success at the highest level of the women’s game.
The appointment keeps rugby coaching in the De Bruin bloodline at Boishaai, with son Neil having laid the groundwork before his father’s arrival. Earle’s appointment as first-team coach adds another layer of professional pedigree to the setup, with the former loose forward bringing Super Rugby experience to the role.
For De Bruin, it’s a chance to coach without looking over his shoulder, to make selections without second-guessing from administrators. The young men of Paarl Boys High will be the beneficiaries of SA Rugby’s spectacular own goal.
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