Marais relinquishes Blue Bulls coaching reins

The Blue Bulls have announced that their Currie Cup head coach, Nollis Marais, has been granted leave for the remainder of the 2017 season and that John Mitchell will replace him.

Mitchell, who is the Pretoria-based union's director of rugby, takes over the coaching reins after the side suffered a 41-40 loss to the Cheetahs in Pretoria on Saturday.
 
Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, explained that this action is merely the next step in the turnaround strategy. This follows the continued unfolding of a turnaround strategy that the Blue Bulls announced earlier this year.

“We are working hard to ensure the sustainable and long-term success of the Bulls and Blue Bulls, as we continue striving towards achieving success and restoring trust and faith in our brand,” he said.
 
The rest of Mitchell's coaching staff will consist of: Hayden Groepes (Skills and Kicking), Pote Human (Lineouts), Gary Botha (Scrums), Pine Pienaar (Defence – All teams, junior and senior), Jaco Coetzee (Strength and Conditioning), Ghafoer Luckan (Strength and Conditioning assistant).

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."