SA Rugby Fast Tracks Women’s Coaching Pathway With New Elite Workshop

South African rugby is taking a decisive step towards strengthening the women’s game, and this time the focus is firmly on the people behind the players. A new Women Coaches’ Transitioning Workshop is set to give promising female coaches the platform, training and recognition they’ve long deserved.

A Turning Point For Women’s Coaching

For years, the pathway for women coaches in South Africa has been thin, with very few reaching the highest levels of accreditation. A 13 year performance review revealed a sobering truth. Only two women in the country, Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Zenay Jordaan, had secured full World Rugby Level 3 accreditation by 2025.

SA Rugby has now made it clear that this cannot continue. As part of its long term Destination 2027 strategy, the federation has launched the Transitioning Workshop to accelerate women’s access to elite coaching roles.

Scheduled to take place at Delsma Sports Farm in Riebeeck West, the programme aims to prepare candidates thoroughly for nomination to the World Rugby Level 3 Course. More than a box ticking exercise, this is SA Rugby’s attempt to close the gender gap at the top of the coaching pyramid.

Former Springbok Women Players Step Into Coaching Futures

Nine ex Springbok Women stars are among the selected 24 coaches. They include Vuyolwethu Vazi, Nosipho Poswa, Natasha Hofmeester, Charmaine Kayser, Mathrin Simmers, Namhla Siyolo, Zolisa Noxeke, Karthy Dludla and Rumandi Potgieter.

Their participation signals a powerful shift. The same women who built the foundation of the modern women’s game in South Africa are now shaping its next generation from the technical area.

What The Workshop Will Deliver

The coaching cohort chosen for the workshop are all already qualified World Rugby Level 2 coaches. Over five days, they will undergo a high performance programme covering technical analysis, contemporary law training with referee Aimee Barrett-Theron, and resilience building.

Participants were selected through provincial nominations and their performance at domestic level, including work done within Elite Player Development structures.

SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer says the aim is simple. Create a pipeline that gives women the skills and readiness they need to coach at the highest levels of the sport, and remove the barriers that previously held them back.

Who’s Representing Each Province

Here’s the full list of provincial representatives:

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

Why This Matters For The Future Of The Game

South Africa’s women’s rugby has grown rapidly at grassroots and elite level, yet coaching depth has not expanded at the same pace. This workshop signals a real investment in that gap. It also reflects the broader momentum around women’s sport in South Africa, where increased visibility, funding, and competitive exposure are slowly reshaping the landscape.

If SA Rugby meets its target of producing 10 Level 3 accredited women coaches by 2027, it would represent a dramatic shift in the sport’s leadership profile. More importantly, it would give young players across the country something priceless. Coaches who not only understand the technical demands of elite rugby but also the lived experience of women in the game.

Nine former #BokWomen players were included on a list of 24 elite coaches to attend SA Rugby’s new Women Coaches’ Transitioning Workshop, a critical initiative designed to bridge the gender gap in elite coaching – more here: https://t.co/R2sTbiNvXe 🫡 pic.twitter.com/FKM8F6syqv

SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) February 11, 2026

{Source:The South African}

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