Phillip Snyman has been officially appointed as the head coach of the Blitzboks, having served in an acting capacity for the past six months. South Africa Rugby announced his appointment on Friday.
Snyman stepped in as interim coach in March after the team faced a streak of disappointing results. Under his leadership, the Blitzboks triumphed in the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco, securing a spot in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where they ultimately earned a bronze medal.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer stated that Snyman’s confirmation in his new role, lasting until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, aligns with the organization’s ongoing high-performance restructuring efforts. Oberholzer noted Snyman’s impressive turnaround of the team’s fortunes in a short span, emphasizing his strong coaching capabilities.
“His success in Monaco and Paris clearly illustrates his potential to restore the Blitzboks to their past successes, and we are excited to have him with us,” Oberholzer remarked. Snyman, a former captain with extensive experience, participated in 62 world series events, two Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, and a Commonwealth Games where he won gold.
He is also unique for having claimed medals both as a player and a coach at the Olympics. Previously, Snyman was the head coach for Uganda and Germany before joining the Blitzboks as an assistant coach in 2023. He expressed gratitude to SA Rugby for their trust in him.
“It is a tremendous honor to be named full-time head coach, a role that requires the highest standards of the Blitzboks, a position I have always aimed for since I began coaching,” Snyman said. He acknowledged the work ahead, noting that while recent results have been promising, there is still significant effort needed to reclaim a position among the top three teams.