Former Springbok Sevens Captain Phillip Snyman has been appointed the head coach of the Blitzboks, following his role as interim coach for the past six months. South Africa Rugby announced the decision on Friday.
Snyman stepped in as interim coach in March amid a series of disappointing results. During his tenure, the Blitzboks triumphed in the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco, securing a spot in the Olympic Games in Paris, where they ultimately won the bronze medal.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer stated that Snyman’s confirmation as head coach, extending until the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, aligns with the governing body’s high-performance restructuring initiative. Oberholzer praised Snyman’s ability to quickly turn around the team’s performance.
“Philip’s management of the Blitzboks in such a short time has been impressive and highlights his coaching skills,” Oberholzer remarked. “Their achievements in Monaco and Paris demonstrate that he can restore the Blitzboks to their previous heights, and we are delighted to have him on our team.”
As a former captain, Snyman possesses extensive knowledge of Springbok Sevens, having participated in 62 World Series events and two Rugby World Cup Sevens, along with a Commonwealth Games gold medal. He is also noted for being the only individual to earn medals both as a player and a coach at the Olympics.
Expressing gratitude to SA Rugby for their trust, Snyman stated, “Being appointed as the full-time head coach is a tremendous honor. This role requires the best from the Blitzboks, a goal I have aspired to since becoming a coach. While we have achieved some recent success, there is still significant work ahead, as we aim to regain our status as a top-three team.”