Bulls grant Nollis Marais leave for the rest of season

The Blue Bulls confirmed on Sunday evening that Blue Bulls Head Coach Nollis Marais has been granted leave for the remainder of the 2017 season.

Barend van Graan, CEO of the BBCo, explained that this action is merely the next step in the turnaround strategy. This follows the continued unfolding of a turnaround strategy that the BBCo announced earlier this year: “We are working hard to ensure the sustainable and long-term success of the Vodacom Bulls and Blue Bulls, as we continue striving towards achieving success and restoring trust and faith in our brand.”

The BBCo confirmed the following management teams for the remainder of the 2017 season:

CURRIE CUP:

• Head Coach, Attack, Exits: John Mitchell
• Skills and Kicking: Hayden Groepes
• Lineouts: Pote Human
• Scrums: Gary Botha
• Defense (All teams, junior and senior): Pine Pienaar
• Strength and Conditioning: Jacus Coetzee (Head Weekly Tactical Periodisation (WTP) and Rehab), Ghafoer Luckan (Senior Strength and Conditioning assistant)

U21:

• Head Coach: David Manuel
• Backline Coach: Bevin Fortuin
• Forward Coach: Anton Leonard
• Strength and Conditioning: Shaun du Toit

U19:

• Head Coach and Backline: Dewey Swartbooi
• Forward Coach: Denzil Frans
• Strength and Conditioning: Henri-Charl Terblanche, Yusuf Vahed (Junior Strength and Conditioning assistant)

• Junior teams kicking, all teams’ PR and Administration: Divan Strydom

NOTE: The status quo for all other members of the High-Performance Department, not referred to above, remains the same.

Van Graan also added: "I believe this step furthermore grants us the opportunity to cross pollinate within our structures, ensuring what coaches have learnt whilst being involved at senior rugby levels is transferred throughout the entire system and structure, thus benefiting at all levels.  We urge our supporters and fans to rally behind the team by coming out and showing their support."