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Philip Snyman is moving on. The man who delivered back-to-back SVNS World Championship titles and an Olympic bronze medal in Paris has accepted the head coaching role at Clan Taran for the inaugural Ultimate Sevens Championship, with the new European-based franchise tournament kicking off in Madrid on 5 September.
Ultimate Sevens Confirms Full Coaching Roster
Ultimate Sevens confirmed all six head coaches for the competition on Wednesday. Snyman's Clan Taran will compete across four host cities — Madrid, Cardiff, Biarritz and London — with each franchise fielding both men's and women's teams throughout the series. It is a significant first assignment for a format that is positioning itself as a genuine new force on the global sevens calendar.
The credentials Snyman carries into this role are hard to argue with. Under his watch, the Blitzboks were the benchmark of the SVNS circuit — consistent, disciplined and ruthless in the big moments. Two world titles and a podium finish at the Paris Games represent a coaching tenure that most sevens programmes could only dream of replicating.
Strong International Coaching Lineup Assembled
The rest of the coaching lineup for the Ultimate Sevens Championship is equally strong. Former Australia sevens coach Shannon Fraser takes charge of Albion Athletic, while Rugby World Cup-winning Black Fern Kelly Brazier has been appointed head coach of Atlantic Nova. Spain's María Ribera, a former dual international who has coached Las Leonas Sevens since 2024, will lead Foudre Bleue. New Zealand Maori coach Crystal Kaua — who has enjoyed success with Chiefs Manawa and Brazil's women's sevens team — takes charge of Pacific Current. Spain men's sevens coach Paco Hernández rounds out the group.