Huge Setback: The departure of 4 Boland Rugby players might cause the downfall of the….
The Boland Cavaliers have officially announced Hawies Fourie’s appointment as head coach, starting March 1st.
In a statement released by Boland Rugby’s professional division, it was confirmed that Fourie will depart from his role as Cheetahs coach to lead a new coaching team at the Cavaliers.
Joining Fourie are four assistant coaches: Alshaun Bock (handling backline and defense), Mornay Kurtz (focusing on forwards), Jacquin Jansen (specializing in kicking), and Iver Aanhuizen (overseeing strength and conditioning).
Fourie’s departure from the Cheetahs follows his success in guiding the Free State team to a Currie Cup victory in 2023 and a round of 16 finish in the previous season’s European Challenge Cup during his four-year tenure starting from 2019.
Returning to Boland, where he previously played in 1994 and 1995, and served as a professional coach from 2002 to 2005, holds sentimental value for Fourie.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Fourie stated, “It’s meaningful to return to the union where my coaching journey began.”
He added, “My goal is to propel Boland back into the top six teams nationally.”
Acknowledging his time with the Cheetahs, Fourie expressed gratitude, having spent 13 years there, nine of which were under Naka Drotské’s leadership, and four as head coach.
Fourie’s coaching career includes notable roles as backline coach for the Free State Cheetahs’ Currie Cup and Super Rugby teams from 2007 to 2014. He also served as head coach for Griquas, contributing to their Currie Cup triumph as an assistant in 2007.
His return to the Western Cape saw him lead Maties to victory in the Varsity Cup, securing their fourth and fifth titles in 2018 and 2019, respectively, before rejoining the Free State at the end of the 2019 season.
Fourie’s appointment coincides with Boland Rugby Union’s partnership with the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport and a consortium led by the Motsepe family, announced last October. Under this arrangement, the Motsepe Consortium and SAS now own 74 percent of Boland Rugby’s professional division, with the Boland Rugby Union retaining 26 percent. Notable figures among Boland’s directors include former Springboks Gio Aplon, Schalk Burger, and Neil de Kock.
