Swys de Bruin: A giant is awakened in South Africa women’s rugby

By Mpumi Manyisi
14th September 2025

Bok Women coach Swys de Bruin believes a giant is awakened in South African women’s rugby after his side bowed out of the Rugby World Cup in the quarterfinal having made it to the knockout stages for the first time in history.

South Africa went 17-46 down against the defending champions New Zealand at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking at the post match presser, De Bruin praised his team’s collective effort and resilience throughout the championship.

"It is just unreal, I've never worked with, I've been blessed with 38 years in professional rugby, I've never worked with a team like this. It's just a bunch of fighters, I cry everyday, it's just unreal how they never mourn, they just go, go, go and they are just fantastic,” de Bruin said.

“I think a giant is awakened in South African women's rugby, that's what I'm thinking. They way Sindo [Nolusindiso Booi], you and your ladies carry on, you made us proud."

South Africa scored three tries against Black Ferns, and dominated to share spoils in the first half. De Bruin says he is happy with how his players contained the game plan.

READ: Gift Leotlela, Akani Simbine ready to lead SA charge at World Champs

"With our girls we came with a plan and they bought in and it was wonderful to see. There was no question why and they loved the plan and I'm happy, three tries. Ireland couldn't score one, other teams battled with their intercept try so for us to score three tries, it's very pleasing," the coach added.

Bok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi played her final World Cup at age 40, and is pleased to have led the team to their first World Cup quarterfinal.

"I am really proud of the girls because as coach mentioned that we always have a plan for everything. I feel like the first 40 minutes, we were there and we could see from their faces, they didn't know what was coming and we were buying in with whatever we were given to do,” Booi said.

“It sucks that some of the things we know they are a good team and congratulations to them because they just outclassed us on the second half and we learn from our mistakes knowing that next time when the girls are coming to play the World Cup, they will be better, they'll go to the finals for sure."