Bulls to reveal new coach soon
SPOTLIGHT: The Bulls will know in a matter of days who is their new coach.
The Blue Bulls Company confirmed last Friday that, ‘mutual agreement’, Jake White parted ways with the Pretoria-based outfit.
The breakup followed after White lost the support of his senior players and backroom staff.
Captain Ruan Nortje and fellow Springbok Marcell Coetzee led a player ‘revolt’ which demanded White’s head.
He also lost the support of his assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Andries Bekker.
Blue Bulls Rugby Union President Willem Strauss confirmed to @rugby365com that the appointment will be made ‘within 10 days’.
BBC CEO Edgar Rathbone has been tasked to find White’s replacement before the Currie Cup season starts.
The Bulls’ domestic campaign starts with a big North-South derby against Western Province in Cape Town on July 26.
Phiwe Nomlomo, who had considerable success in last season’s Currie Cup, will again coach the team in South African’s premier competition.
However, finding a coach for the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup competitions is a bit more complicated.
Baby Bok assistant coach Johan Ackermann is reportedly the leading candidate on an impressive shortlist – which also include Leinster’s former Bok World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber, Bath’s triple winner (Premiership, Challenge Cup and Premiership Cup) Johann van Graan and Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith (the 2024 URC winner).
“I want to assure all our members that by the time our URC squad’s pre-season starts on July 21, all will be in place to work towards a massive 2025/26 season,” the Bulls President, Strauss said.
“Surely we have a squad that are amongst the best in our 87 year old history.
“What has contributed to our culture of excellence over the past five years remains in place: Leadership sharing the same vision and strategies, alignment of structures and keeping our echo-system and pipeline strong with our policy of growth and excellence on every level.”
The Bulls boss said White added ‘tremendous value’ to the union’s proud legacy.
“Our Currie Cup team starts their campaign at the end of the month,” Strauss said, adding: “Due to the congested calendar the Currie Cup now has a different role in our planning.
“It offers our fringe players game time and the opportunity to push for higher laurels.”
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