Zenay Jordaan once danced across rugby fields like a poet with boots, threading kicks and passes through defensive lines as if she were writing verse in the chaos. Now, with her boots hung up and a whistle in hand, she’s returning to the stage where legends are etched—not as a player, but as a mentor and coach.
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England will mark not an epilogue, but a bold second act.
I’ve traded sidesteps for strategy. But the love for the game—that’s still as strong as ever.
At 34, Jordaan has crossed over into coaching with the same composure she displayed in the No. 10 jersey across her 36-cap Test career. She is now part of World Rugby’s Gallagher High Performance Academy, bringing her sharp rugby intellect to South Africa’s national women’s team setup ahead of their biggest campaign yet.
It’s a full-circle moment for the former flyhalf.
The last time I walked off a World Cup field, I was lifted high by teammates and even England players. It was emotional. To come back now and give back in a different way feels just right.
Like a seasoned playmaker reading the tempo of a match, Jordaan is quietly taking in everything around her—studying drills, absorbing tactics, mentoring younger players. It’s not just presence; it’s purpose.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin sees it plainly:
We all know what a brilliant player she was. But now, she’s bringing that same vision into coaching. She sees the field like few others can. Having Zenay involved is like having a playbook that can talk.
Jordaan is already embedded in the system, helping coach the dominant Bulls Daisies, and now rubbing shoulders with Springbok Women assistant Laurian Johannes-Haupt—herself a graduate of the same high-performance pathway.
Laurian’s walked this road before me, so having her around has been a huge support. I can ask, learn, experiment. That’s the beauty of being back in this environment.
And while the Rugby World Cup looms just beyond the horizon, she isn’t getting swept up in the grandeur of it all.
The 100-day countdown is ticking, yes. But every session between now and then is its own test match. We win the World Cup by winning the little battles in training first.
In rugby, every pass tells a story. Zenay Jordaan once told hers with a ball in hand, pirouetting between defenders like a conductor. Now, she orchestrates from the sideline—coaching, inspiring, and forging a new legacy that stretches beyond the white chalk.
De Bruin puts it best:
The growth of rugby lies in sharing, not hoarding. Zenay’s voice is vital—it’s a call forward for the women’s game.
Jordaan’s new role may not come with tries or tackles, but make no mistake—she’s still in the game. And this time, she’s scripting the future.
