Bulls want to hold onto Meyer

The Bulls are hopeful of holding onto their mastermind, Heyneke Meyer, despite confirmation that he is set to be unveiled as the new Springbok coach on Friday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Bulls revealed that at a meeting called by SARU with the Blue Bulls Company’s Board of Directors, SARU informed the Blue Bulls Board of their intention to offer Meyer the position of national coach.

This is despite SARU’s best attempt to keep the news secret.

In an advisory issued earlier in the day, SARU confirmed that a media conference would be held in Cape Town on Friday, following the conclusion of the Special General Council Meeting of the national body.

The meeting has two principal items on the agenda: the ratification of the appointment of the Springbok coach and Super Rugby participation in 2013.

Although SARU did not reveal who the new Bok coach would be, it has been common knowledge that Meyer will be offered the job – as the Bulls confirmed in their statement.

However, the Pretoria-based franchise also revealed that they were not keen to lose the services of one of the country’s most successful coaches.

“The Blue Bulls Board reiterated its position that Meyer is under contract with the Blue Bulls Company and had appointed Meyer as Executive Rugby, only after an undertaking and commitment by Meyer to lead Blue Bulls rugby over the next four years,” the BBC said in a statement.

The statement continued: “It is the Blue Bulls Board’s position that it would not be in the Blue Bulls interest to release Meyer, after many resources and commitments have been made available in order to enable Meyer to fulfil his mandate.

“Should Meyer however decide to accept the position of national coach, he needs to inform the Blue Bulls Board of his decision to abdicate his responsibilities and commitments to the Blue Bulls.

“Although the Blue Bulls Board would be disappointed with such a decision by Meyer, the Board has faith in the coaching structures under the leadership of Frans Ludeke in taking the Bulls into the future.”