Phillip Snyman, the former captain of the Springbok Sevens, has been named the head coach of the Blitzboks after serving in an acting role for the past six months. South Africa Rugby made the announcement on Friday.
Snyman stepped in as interim coach in March after the team experienced a string of disappointing results. During his tenure, the Blitzboks had a significant achievement by winning the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco, securing their spot in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where they ultimately earned a bronze medal.
Rian Oberholzer, the CEO of SA Rugby, expressed confidence in Snyman’s capabilities, stating that his appointment, which will extend until the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, is part of a broader restructuring initiative within the governing body. Oberholzer praised Snyman’s ability to quickly revitalize the team, noting their impressive performances in Monaco and Paris.
As a former Springbok Sevens captain, Snyman brings extensive experience, having participated in 62 world series events, two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, and a Commonwealth Games where the team claimed gold. Notably, he is the only individual to have earned medals as both a player and a coach at the Olympics.
Snyman, who previously held head coach positions with Uganda and Germany prior to becoming the Blitzboks’ assistant coach in 2023, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by SA Rugby. He acknowledged the honor of his new role and recognized the challenges ahead, indicating that despite recent successes, there is significant work to be done to elevate the team into a top-tier position.