Gerrit Myburgh takes over from Derik Olivier as Marlow head coach

March 2026
Agricultural school Marlow in Cradock begin a new chapter in 2026 with Gerrit Myburgh taking over as 1st XV head coach.

Myburgh replaces the respected and loyal Derik Olivier, who has decided to step down to the U16 ranks after many years at the helm of the Marlow first team.

Originally from Hopetown in the Northern Cape, Myburgh brings a broad sporting and coaching background to the role. While his sporting focus after school shifted to cricket as a Kovsies player, he was a talented rugby player during his school years and attended the 2007 Academy Week as a Griquas representative.

He began coaching rugby part-time during his second year of studies and by 2012 had started building his coaching reputation at Grey College, where he began with the school’s 7th and 8th teams.

In 2014 he moved to Noord-Kaap as a teacher and was steadily promoted through the rugby structures, eventually serving as 1st XV assistant coach. During this time he was also promoted to the roles of Head of Marketing and Head of Sport and coached several Griquas youth week teams along the way.

His coaching journey reached another milestone in 2021 when he served as an assistant coach with the Griquas U20 Currie Cup side. Later that year he moved to Punt, the high school in Mossel Bay as sports organiser before taking up a similar role at Hopetown in 2022.

Myburgh joined Marlow in 2024 as Head of Rugby and Marketing and served as 1st XV assistant coach during the 2025 season before being promoted to the head coaching position.

Marlow head into the 2026 season with encouraging continuity, returning 10 players from the previous year’s squad. Adding further promise is a talented group that progressed through the school’s U16 ranks in 2025.

While the school has traditionally been known for a direct and physical brand of rugby, there is a clear intention to add greater emphasis on skill and a more expansive approach to complement a strong forward pack and an exciting group of backs.

Their opening fixture against Fichardtpark presents an immediate test. With Fichardtpark already having game time under their belts, the early-season encounter could prove particularly demanding as the match wears on, but it provides a valuable first opportunity for Marlow to measure their progress.