Top female coaches assemble for historic World Rugby Level 3 course

A landmark moment for women’s rugby in South Africa will unfold in the Western Cape later this week when a group of leading female coaches assemble for the first standalone World Rugby Level 3 course dedicated to women coaches.

The course, to be held at Delsma Sports Farm in Riebeek Kasteel from 23 to 28 October, represents an important next step in SA Rugby’s drive to develop more women coaches capable of operating in elite and high-performance environments.

Twenty-three South African coaches are scheduled to participate alongside three coaches from Kenya and Zimbabwe, creating an opportunity for learning, collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the region.

Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby, said that the significance of the course goes beyond coaches merely earning a qualification.

“The programme forms part of the broader coaching pathway aligned to SA Rugby’s Strategic Plan, ‘Destination 2027’, which is guiding targeted investment into the identification, preparation, development and advancement of women coaches,” said Oberholzer.

“The October programme represents the next chapter of a process deliberately started in February this year when SA Rugby hosted a Women Coaches Transitioning Workshop at the same venue, bringing together 23 women coaches for an intensive development intervention.

“Fourteen of those coaches will now take the next step in their development by participating in the World Rugby Level 3 course, while it’s also encouraging to see so many former players move into coaching at a high level and are now transferring their playing experience into coaching, as well as coaches already working across schools, clubs and provincial structures.”

The impact of the initiative was already evident in the historic SA Schools Girls programme in 2026. Natasha Hofmeester and Zolisa Noxeke were appointed as the first head coaches of the SA Schools Girls teams, with Catherine Lowane and Nosipho Poswa serving as assistant coaches.

Former Springbok Women’s Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers has also continued her progression through the women’s coaching pathway, forming part of the Junior Springbok Women and Sanlam Boland Dames’ coaching set-up, as well as guiding the Walker Bay Babes to the Betway Women’s Club Championship title in September.

The group includes several former internationals who represented South Africa in 15s and/or sevens level. They are Hofmeester, Noxeke, Poswa, Simmers, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Charmaine Kayser, Nonkosi Sobandla, Jacqueline Kriel and Namhla Siyolo.

The 14 coaches who are back after attending the programme in February, are Simmers, Noxeke, Sobandla, Siyolo, Kayser, Kriel and Poswa, as well as Maggie Bapela, Khanya Kondile, Claudia Francke, Jean Kietzmann, Catherine Lowane, Aneesah Adams, and Jessica Botha.

Ian Schwartz, SA Rugby General Manager: Participation & Development, said seeing 14 of the 23 coaches progressing from the February workshop into the Level 3 environment demonstrated exactly what the pathway was designed to achieve.

“February was about preparing talented women coaches for the next step and in the next week, they will be taking that step,” said Schwartz.

“We did not want to simply identify talented women and hope that opportunities would follow. We wanted to prepare them, mentor them, expose them to different environments and set them up to succeed when those opportunities arrived.

“All 14 coaches from that transition programme now moving into the World Rugby Level 3 course is therefore significant. It shows that when development is intentional, the pathway can work.

“Some have subsequently received opportunities in national and provincial environments, while others continue to make an impact at club and provincial level. The objective is not merely to qualify more women coaches. It is to develop women coaches who are confident, capable and ready when the next opportunity comes.

“Destination 2027 is our guide. If we want a stronger women’s game, we need stronger pathways around the players as well. Coaches are fundamental to that ecosystem, and this is another important step in building that capacity.”

The attendees are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Springbok Women co-head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Isuzu Bulls Daisies head coach Zenay Jordaan – both former Test players – who have already completed the World Rugby Level 3 qualification. Marlize van der Merwe, who recently returned from Hong Kong, is also Level 3 qualified.

The programme will be facilitated by World Rugby educators Hilton Adonis, Lance Sendin, Anthony Heugh, Neville Heilbron, David Dobela, Burton Hufkie, Denver Wannies, Nazeem Adams and Lefty Dukase.

Adonis, SA Rugby’s Senior Manager for Training and Education and one of the facilitators, said the programme was designed to progress the coaches into the demands of Level 3.

“All participants hold the World Rugby Level 2 qualification, which is a prerequisite for Level 3, and this programme represents an important progression for coaches who are already actively involved in the game,” said Adonis.

“By developing their technical knowledge, leadership capability and understanding of high-performance coaching, we are strengthening the human capacity required for the continued growth of women’s rugby.”

A strong practical component will enable participants to develop their ability to plan, implement, analyse and review annual coaching programmes while also creating an environment where coaches from different unions and countries can exchange ideas and build professional networks.

“Qualifications are important, but development cannot stop when the certificate is handed over,” Schwartz added. “We want these women to remain connected, supported and challenged as coaches. The real success will be seeing more of them progress through the pathway and lead teams at the highest levels of the game.”

The attendees are: Maggie Bapela, Bongiwe Nhleko (both Blue Bulls); Mathrin Simmers (Boland); Zolisa Noxeke, Nwabisa Ngxathu, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Nonkosi Sobandla (all Border); Khanya Kondile, Namhla Siyolo (both Eastern Province); Shamila Louw (Griffons); Claudia Francke (Griquas); Jean Kietzmann (Sharks); Sumari Brand, Jacqueline Kriel (both Leopards); Lynn-Mari Subke (Pumas); Marlene Adams (SWD); Catherine Lowane (Valke); Aneesah Adams, Jessica Botha, Natasha Hofmeester, Charmaine Kayser, Nosipho Poswa, Leandi Smith (all Western Province); Mercy Kezia Migongo, Otwoma Knight Lamwenya (both Kenya), Idah Marowa (Zimbabwe).