Super Rugby: Relief as Lions name Swys de Bruin as new coach

The Lions softened the blow of losing Johan Ackermann as head coach by appointing his right-hand man Swys de Bruin as his successor.

It will come as a relief to many stakeholders after there were fears the influential coaching group would be broken up by year’s end.

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A report last week alleged the Lions were actually considering ditching De Bruin – the attacking mastermind behind the Lions’ game-plan – in favour of Springboks assistant coach Franco Smith.

But those concerns proved unfounded.

“We are pleased to announce that De Bruin has put pen to paper for the position of head coach at the Lions,” said Rudolf Straeuli, the Lions chief executive.

“We believe it will bring continuity and stability within the different teams in the various competitions that we are taking part in.”

Despite the short period of uncertainty, it was mostly expected that the franchise would opt for continuity, especially when it became clear Ackermann wouldn’t take De Bruin with him to England.

Ackermann put pen to paper on a three-year deal with Gloucester in April.

“I’m thankful for the trust the board of directors put in me and look forward to the challenge. For now we are still totally focused on our campaign in the 2017 Super Rugby season,” said De Bruin.

The 57-year-old will also have the luxury of a full strength squad for the whole of 2018’s Super Rugby campaign at least.

That includes captain Warren Whiteley and key players such as Jaco Kriel, Lionel Mapoe, Elton Jantjies and Franco Mostert.

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