“The spontaneous applause on two occasions and the standing ovation at the end, reflected just how moved our team were, and this, despite the extremely tough economic and others conditions which hover over us all. Mzwandile was the breath of fresh air and optimism we all needed and his easy manner when answering questions from the staff, was delightful, authentic and rousing” – IDC, December 2023.

Port Elizabeth born Mzwandile Stick is best-known as the current (since 2016) assistant coach for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks. His inspiring ‘team-talks on the corporate stages regularly receive standing ovations. “Stix” was a vital part of the coaching team, under Head Coach Jacques Nienaber and Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023.

He is a former Springbok Sevens stalwart who participated in the 15-man game as a wing and fullback. But he is much better-known as the current (since 2016) assistant coach for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks. His inspiring ‘team-talks on the corporate stages of South Africa – and further afield – regularly receive standing ovations.

Earlier in his career, he was named the Under-21 Assistant Coach in 2013 and then the head coach of the Eastern Province U19 team and their Vodacom Cup team for 2014 and 2015, guiding the Under-19s to their first ever Under-19 Provincial Championship title in 2015.

In December 2015, he was appointed as the backline coach of the Southern Kings team for the 2016 Super Rugby season and joined the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks, in the same capacity in April 2016.

He captained the South Africa sevens team during the 2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series, which saw the team win the series title for the first time. His favoured position was full-back. He came off the bench for a Southern Kings XV against British & Irish Lions during the 2009 tour to South Africa.

He was named in the Southern Kings wider training squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season, but was subsequently released to the Vodacom Cup squad.