Mzwandile Stick and family take a well-deserved holiday in Zanzibar
Katlego Sekhu
The Springbok coach is soaking up time away on the Tanzanian coast
Former Springbok player and current Springbok attack coach Mzwandile Stick has been enjoying a well-deserved family break following a successful season with the national team, during which the Boks lost just two matches out of 15.
Stick and his wife, Therina, travelled with their children to Zanzibar, soaking up time away from the demands of international rugby.Â
The Indian Ocean archipelago, which belongs to Tanzania, is renowned for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and rich cultural tapestry shaped by African, Arab, Persian and Indian influences.Â
Stick and Therina Mulder, also known as Therina Somila Stick, were married on 22 September 2018 in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. Therina, a biokineticist who studied at Stellenbosch University, has been a constant source of support throughout Stick’s playing and coaching career. The couple are parents to two children.
Born in 1984 in the Eastern Cape, Stick is a former professional rugby player who rose to prominence as a dynamic wing and fullback in sevens rugby. He captained the Springbok Sevens side and competed internationally on the IRB Sevens World Series, including the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He also represented the Southern Kings in Super Rugby before injuries forced him to retire in 2013 at the age of 29.
Following his retirement, Stick transitioned seamlessly into coaching. He worked with Eastern Province’s under-19 and under-21 teams before joining the Southern Kings as an assistant coach in 2016. In 2018, he was appointed to the Springbok coaching staff, where he has played a key role in the team’s attacking structures.
Stick has since become an integral part of Rassie Erasmus’s management group, contributing to South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023. By 2025, he had been involved in 100 Test matches with the Springboks, often speaking publicly about leadership, unity, managing egos and the importance of diversity within elite coaching environments.
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