Blue Bulls Company calls time on coach Nollis

PRETORIA: It has been an inglorious year for Nollis Marais.

First he was relieved of his duties as Bulls Super Rugby coach after the team’s bad run in this year’s competition and now the Blue Bulls Company has called time on his role as the Blue Bulls Currie Cup coach after three consecutive defeats, following Saturday’s 41-40 loss to the Free State Cheetahs.

The Bulls have dropped from their initial second place on the standings from the beginning of the season to fifth place.

Former All Blacks and Lions coach John Mitchell will take over from Marais as Currie Cup head coach for the remainder of the season and will surely head up the coaching team in next year’s Super Rugby campaign after a short late night meeting at Loftus last night.

Mitchell was appointed as Executive of Rugby at Loftus last month after leading the USA Eagles to a spot at the 2019 World Cup.

Marais is not the only casualty from the team’s failures this year with former Bulls captain and Super Rugby forwards coach Anton Leonard being demoted to the Under-21 side as forwards coach, while Super Rugby and Currie Cup backline coach David Manuel will now be the head coach of the U21s.

Former Blue Bulls utility back Hayden Groepes has been elevated to Currie Cup skills and kicking coach.

“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,” said Blue Bulls chief executive Barend van Graan.