Philip Snyman secures contract as Springboks Sevens head coach
Snyman’s first assignment in his new position will be at the Hong Kong Sevens from 5-7 April, but the big task will be winning the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled for June in Monaco to book their spot at the Paris Games in July.
The Springboks Sevens coachin team has appointed former Blitzbok captain Philip Snyman (left) as the new Springbok Sevens head coach until the end of July. He replaces Sandile Ngcobo who stepped down from the role after 18 months at the helm. Picture: @Blitzboks on X
JOHANNESBURG - Former Blitzbok captain Philip Snyman has been appointed as the new Springbok Sevens head coach until the end of July.
Snyman replaces Sandile Ngcobo who stepped down from the role after 18 months at the helm.
Ngcobo endured a difficult tenure, as he struggled to replicate the team’s success from previous seasons consistently.
The Blitzboks started the current World SVNS Series campaign on a high note, winning the Dubai title in December.
However, they’ve since recorded some underwhelming results.
They failed to make the playoffs in their last 2 World SVNS Series events in Vancouver and Los Angeles, where they finished in 9th and 11th, respectively, out of 12 teams.
They’re down to 7th in the overall standings and need to stay in the top eight to avoid playing in a promotion and relegation series.
SA Rugby says Ngcobo will return to the Sevens Academy in Stellenbosch, where he was the head coach before his promotion to the national team.
“We will continue to invest in his [Ngcobo’s] 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,” said SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer
Snyman’s first assignment in his new position will be at the Hong Kong Sevens from 5-7 April, but the big task will be winning the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament scheduled for June in Monaco to book their spot at the Paris Games in July.
The Blitzboks have finished in the top two in 12 of the previous 16 SVNS series seasons and their misfortune this time around has prompted the country’s rugby bosses to launch an official assessment into the sevens programme.
“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,” said Oberholzer.