SA Rugby to accelerate women’s coaching pathway

Nine former Springbok Women’s players were included on a list of 24 elite coaches who will form part of SA Rugby’s new Women Coaches’ Transitioning Workshop, a critical initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in elite coaching.

The workshop, which aligns with SA Rugby’s “Destination 2027” strategy, is scheduled to take place at Delsma Sports Farm in Riebeeck West later this month. It will serve as a formal prerequisite for nomination to the prestigious World Rugby Level 3 Course.

This intervention follows an intensive review of performance data over the last 13 years, which revealed that only two women’s coaches, Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Zenay Jordaan, had achieved full Level 3 accreditation through SA Rugby as of 2025.

The former national players who will form part of the workshop are Vuyolwethu Vazi, Nosipho Poswa, Natasha Hofmeester, Charmaine Kayser, Mathrin Simmers, Namhla Siyolo, Zolisa Noxeke, Karthy Dludla, and Rumandi Potgieter.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, emphasised the importance of this initiative in shaping a gender-inclusive future for the sport.

“A core pillar of our ‘Destination 2027’ strategy is the deliberate growth and education of our female coaching cohort,” said Oberholzer.

“We have established a clear strategic target to achieve 10 World Rugby Level 3 accredited female coaches by 2027. By moving beyond mere nomination and focusing on comprehensive readiness, we aim to eliminate historical barriers and empower these individuals with the elite-level competencies required for coaching positions at the highest level of the game.”

Twenty-four elite coaches from across South Africa’s provincial unions, all of whom are accredited World Rugby Level 2 coaches, will attend the workshop. The rigorous five-day programme includes technical sessions on Functional Role Analysis (FRA), Contemporary Law with Aimee Barrett-Theron, and resilience training.

The participants were identified through provincial nominations and their performance as coaches in domestic competitions and Elite Player Development (EPD) camps.

“Our focus is to ensure that our female coaches are technically prepared and competitively ready for the rigorous objectives of Level 3 certification,” added Oberholzer.

“This workshop is a robust high-performance intervention. We expect these coaches to arrive prepared with completed personal profiles and seasonal visions, as we look forward to an impactful programme that prepares them for the global stage.”

Participating coaches by province:

Blue Bulls: Vuyolwethu Vazi, Maggie Karabo Bapele

Western Province: Nosipho Poswa, Aneesah Adams, Natasha Hofmeester, Charmaine Kayzer

Boland: Jessica Botha, Carolishia Fisher, Mathrin Simmers

Eastern Province: Namhla Siyolo, Khanya Kondile

Border: Zolisa Noxeke, Nonkosi Sobandla

Griquas: Shalaine Maarman, Claudia Francke

KZN: Jean Kietzmann, Karthy Dludla

SWD: Nicolene Barendse, Elize Arendse

Free State: Marlene Adams

Golden Lions: Rumandi Potgieter, Lesego Malebadi

Leopards: Jacqueline Kriel

Valke: Catherine Lolwane