In news unlikely to surprise many people, given their thus-far amazingly successful Currie Cup campaign, the Bulls have opted to back Nollis Marais with the Super Rugby head coaching job.
When Frans Ludeke was shown the door after a disappointing 2015 campaign in the Southern Hemisphere competition, reports at the time indicated that a worldwide search for a new head coach was under way. Marais was appointed almost as a caretaker coach, hoping that his familiarity with the “next generation” of Bulls players, whom he had coached at junior levels for some years, would translate to senior success with this same player corps. A bit of a calculated risk, perhaps, but one that seems to have paid off for the men in Pretoria.
Marais has now been appointed to be the union’s Super Rugby head coach for the next four years.
“Nollis is a stern testament of a true Blue Bulls man, he has coached at every level within the union, from schoolboy level right up to his current position as Currie Cup head coach. I am more than satisfied that we have appointed the best coach to take over the reins of the Vodacom Bulls,” BBRU President, Gert Wessels told the union’s website.
“He is more than familiar with our systems, and has built a respectable record and reputation over the past couple of seasons since he has been with the BBCo. His knowledge, paired with his vision and innovation, will stand us in good stead for the future.”
