SA Rugby turn to former captain as interim coach amid risk of losing core SVNS status
Split with South Africa Sevens stars and Phillip Snyman.
The Blitzboks have confirmed that Philip Snyman will take over from Sandile Ngcobo as interim head coach with immediate effect.
Ngcobo was the man to make the recommendation after a review of the team’s structure on the back of a disappointing string of results this season. The tactician will return to the sevens academy where he was before the head coach role.
Meanwhile, Snyman, who joined the South Africa Sevens set-up as an assistant last year, will take over the team until the end of July which could include the Olympic Games – should the side qualify.
Need to find form
The poor results, featuring only one tournament win in Dubai, means that the historically decorated team could lose core status on the series. SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer commended Ngcobo’s honesty and laid out the plan to find the team’s form once again.
“We have a talented and experienced group of Sevens players, but they have underperformed since winning the opening event of the World Series in Dubai and results have only worsened,” said Oberholzer.
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“We have yet to qualify for the Olympics and there is a danger that the team will not automatically retain its core status on the series. We greatly appreciate the honesty of Sandile’s approach and must praise him for placing the team’s needs above his personal ambitions.
“We will continue to invest in his development and believe he has a future in our systems. However, the short-term needs of the team are such that for continuity purposes we have given Philip the task of reviving the team’s fortunes.
Hong Kong next up
“A review of the broader Sevens department’s structure will continue to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The Blitzboks have been a shining light for rugby for many seasons and we wish to see them on fire once again.”
Snyman has a reasonable window to prepare his troops for their next task which is the Hong Kong SVNS between April 5 and 7 where the Blitzboks will be desperate for a big points haul.
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