Swys de Bruin departs Lions after seven years
Lions head coach Cash van Rooyen during warm ups ahead of the Round 9 Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and the Lions of South Africa at GIO Stadium in Canberra, Saturday, April 13, 2019. (AAP Image/Rohan Thomson)
Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has left the Super Rugby franchise by mutual content following seven successful years at the Johannesburg-based side.
De Bruin initially joined the team as an assistant coach before taking on the head honcho role after Johan Ackermann departed for English Premiership team Gloucester in 2017.
The 59-year-old guided them to the Super Rugby final in 2018, but they faltered last season, eventually finishing outside the play-offs.
De Bruin was set to work with the Springboks at the World Cup but withdrew prior to the beginning of the global tournament.
He has struggled with his mental health, which forced him to quit the Lions’ tour of New Zealand in April, and the franchise confirmed that it was an amicable split.
“Swys has made a ground breaking contribution in the style of play and attacking patterns to the team whereby memorable tries have been scored at Emirates Airline Park,” CEO Rudolf Straeuli said. “On behalf of the management, players and supporters we thank him and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Sad to see Swys de Bruin shut up shop at the Lions. A good, smart man. But rugby can't banish underlying anguish. Hope he stays involved, somehow.
— Clinton van der Berg (@ClintonV) October 11, 2019
De Bruin added: “It was an unbelievable seven years with the Lions family. Thank you to everyone who made it special and memorable.
“I pray for the team to receive God’s blessings. The Lions will always have a special place in my heart, and always remember as a team who plays to score tries and inspire people by the way we play.”
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