Former Springbok Women star Zenay Jordaan has embarked on the next chapter in her coaching career, joining the Bulls Daisies as an assistant coach on a two-year deal. Photo: Supplied

Springbok women’s rugby legend, Zenay Jordaan, has embarked on the next chapter in her coaching career, joining the Bulls Daisies as assistant coach on a two-year deal. 

Jordaan comes to the union with a wealth of experience, having spent two years as the backline coach at the E.P Queens in the Eastern Cape. She was humble when contacted by the gsport newsroom about the appointment and what it meant to her.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to be able to, be part of this professional environment and obviously to come to the champions. I think, in terms of growth as a coach, I couldn’t have asked for a better environment where that can happen.”

Springbok Women’s Rugby Legend, Zenay Jordaan

The Bulls Daisies have cemented themselves in women’s rugby history as one of the most successful teams on and off the pitch in South Africa. The Pretoria-based side became the first professional domestic women’s rugby team, and has since continued to lead the way for women’s sport in Mzansi.

Jordaan says being able to be part of a side like the Bulls Daisies is something she doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s a massive privilege, I think my growth is only taking flight now. I must say, ever since I joined the Bulls Daisies team I have learnt so much in a short space of time working with Coach Hayden (Groepes), and how he goes about things,” says Jordaan. “What also stands out is how we get the players to engage, and I know that is one area that I would like to work on and get better at. So, like I said, it’s just a privilege, and I think this is just a stepping stone for my coaching career to take flight.”

Jordaan retired from the game in 2022, having played at a whopping three World Cups and at the time was the most capped Springbok Women’s player. It was not long after this that she started her coaching career and says making the step up was not easy at first.

“It wasn’t easy, just being retired, stepping into the coaching world. I think I still had the mentality of a player, and then obviously stepping in as a coach. I know the importance of also looking at the game from a different perspective, and I think just looking at it from a coaching perspective was challenging!

“The fact is that I’m now coaching some of the players that I’ve played with, but luckily I wouldn’t say I got warned about it, but I had to put certain boundaries in place, of course, in terms of player-coach relationship. Putting those boundaries in place wasn’t as easy, it was challenging, and I’m sure for some players, it’s also something to get used to, calling me ‘Coach’, and not those nicknames.”

Jordaan is a trailblazer in women’s rugby in South Africa as she was the first player to be given a professional contract. Not to mention it is a well-documented fact that she gave up her career as a firefighter to pursue her rugby career. She says getting a contract is what the players worked so hard for so it was a no-brainer to play rugby. 

“I always say that I am a risk-taker. It wasn’t a tough decision to make, to go for my rugby career. I had so much love and passion for the game, I didn’t care about that permanence. I just wanted to play and the fact that the group just before they decided to give contracts, I remember that was one of our goals.”

“We wanted to see that contracts are being given to women rugby players,” says Jordaan. “To decline that, I think that’s the decision that I would regret.”

Jordaan has seen the Springbok Women grow from strength to strength, seeing their display in the recent WVX2 tournament as proof that the team is heading in the right direction with the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon. 

“Well, they say performance is important, and I think the Springbok Women’s team has shown that in terms of their performance, being able to not just participate but to compete.”

“If we look at the WXV tournament that took place, and how well the ladies did in it. They were up against an Australian team, they came out guns blazing in that game, and they showed so much character, that they just decided to flip the switch.” 

“Regardless of the result, the performance and the fight showed that this team is really on the right track, and it can only get better from there.”

Jordaan was also one of four women who completed the World Rugby Level Three course that was facilitated by SA Rugby. She says being able to add this to her skillset is something she feels privileged to do. 

“It’s massive for me. I think I undermined myself going into it because of the experience that I have in coaching. When that level three course started, regardless of how much experience you have in coaching that course alone brings you back and it brings everyone back to the same level, where understanding and growth can take place from the start.”

“I must give credit to the facilitators who facilitated that course because, they did it in such a manner that when l walked away from that course, I can say then I will do it with so much more.”

For those who are looking to take up a rugby career, Jordaan had this advice …:

“There’s space for women in this industry, it’s not just a playing career anymore. A pathway is now created for women to become coaches and head coaches. Not just on the coaching side, if you look at commentating, we have the likes of Mandisa Williams, so there are even spaces there.”

“I think if they want to give back in terms of their knowledge and what they have learned, they shouldn’t keep it for themselves. Go out there and share it because, at the end of the day, it not only shows your character but also shows you are willing to share, and that you want the next person to grow.”


Main Photo caption: Former Springbok Women star Zenay Jordaan has embarked on the next chapter in her coaching career, joining the Bulls Daisies as an assistant coach on a two-year deal. Photo: Supplied

Photo 2 caption: Jordaan comes to the union with a wealth of experience, after two years as the backline coach at the EP Queens, in the Eastern Cape. Photo: Supplied

Photo 3 caption: Mirroring the passion with which she wore national colours, Jordaan loved seeing the Springbok Women ‘flip the switch’ against Australia in the WXV. Photo: Supplied

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