Phillip Snyman, the former captain of the Springbok Sevens, has been named the head coach of the Blitzboks, following six months in an acting role. South Africa Rugby announced his appointment on Friday.
Snyman stepped in as interim coach in March after a string of disappointing performances by the team. Under his leadership, the Blitzboks secured victory at the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco, earning a spot in the Olympic Games in Paris, where they ultimately claimed a bronze medal.
Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, stated that Snyman’s confirmation as head coach, a position that extends until the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, is part of the organization’s effort to restructure its high-performance program.
Oberholzer praised Snyman’s ability to turn around the team’s fortunes in a short time, highlighting their impressive performances in Monaco and Paris as evidence of his coaching skills. He noted Snyman’s extensive experience, having participated in 62 world series events, two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, and a Commonwealth Games where the team won gold.
Snyman is also distinguished as the only individual to win medals as both a player and a coach at the Olympics. He previously served as head coach for Uganda and Germany before joining the Blitzboks as an assistant coach in 2023.
Expressing his gratitude to SA Rugby, Snyman remarked on the honor of being appointed full-time head coach, a role he aspired to from the start of his coaching career. He emphasized that while recent successes are notable, there remains significant work ahead, as the team aims to reclaim its status among the top three in the world.