Bulls mum on Marais’ future

NOLLIS ABSENT IN REVAMPED STRUCTURE After much talk of at least some Super Rugby involvement, it seems as if the 45-year-old’s tenure is complete.

The Blue Bulls have announced yet another shuffling of their coaching resources, but there is no clarity on the future of sidelined Currie Cup coach Nollis Marais.

A statement released by the franchise late on Sunday night, ostensibly after board meetings had been held, said Marais has been “granted leave” for the remainder of the year, but there is no word on his future involvement within the structures at Loftus Versfeld. Marais has two years remaining on his contract.

Asked yesterday whether Marais had been forced to take leave, CEO Barend van Graan said: “I cannot respond to that question, I want to stay with what was written in the press release. I don’t want to comment any further.”

The reshuffle now means John Mitchell will take over as head coach for the rest of the Currie Cup, with Marais not featuring anywhere in a revamped structure that sees David Manuel go from senior backline coach to U21 head coach, and U19 head coach Hayden Groepes and Tuks coach Pote Human coming in as assistants to Mitchell, who is the executive of rugby.

The Blue Bulls suffered an embarrassing last-minute 41-40 loss to the Free State Cheetahs last weekend, marked by inept decision-making, and they now go into the second half of the Currie Cup in fifth position, one point behind Griquas, who have played an extra game.

While they are still very much in contention for a repeat of last year’s performance when they reached the Currie Cup final, it seems they will go into Super Rugby next year with more questions than answers, once again.

Marais stepped into the Currie Cup head coach role in 2015 after winning three U21 titles with the Blue Bulls as well as two Varsity Cup crowns with Tuks, and took over as Super Rugby coach in 2016. The 45-year-old was slated to continue in the Sanzaar tournament next year as one of Mitchell’s assistants.

But now it seems he will be cast into the wilderness.