Bulls keeping Marais as coach

The Blue Bulls Company on Monday confirmed that Marais will take charge as Blue Bulls head coach for the Currie Cup Premier Division this year.

Marais will take over the reins for this year's Currie Cup after the Bulls decided to Hendré Marnitz – who was in charge of the for the qualifying tournament – of his duties.

The reason for this extension of Marais's duties was to ensure "continuity" in the playing squad, with almost 90 percent of them part of the Bulls, where he was head coach in 2016.

The Bulls now turn their attentions on the Currie Cup after bowing out of the Super Rugby race last Saturday with a win over the Cheetahs.

"With almost the whole Bulls squad now available for the Currie Cup competition that is starting soon, the call was made to extend the mandate of Marais, so he will now be coaching Blue Bulls as well," BBC CEO, Barend van Graan said .

"It just makes sense for him to continue with the group of players that are developing so nicely under his guidance".

The position of Marnitz, who coached the team in the Currie Cup Qualifiers, will be confirmed later in the week once Marais' full management team has been finalised.

Van Graan made it clear that he will stay in the BBC coaching structures.  

"The call to continue with Nollis in the Currie Cup was made for rugby reasons and is not a reflection on Hendré's abilities. The progress and growth shown by the team under Nollis is something we want to expand and grow, hence the decision," continued.

Van Graan dismissed speculation that Marnitz was relieved of his position.

"We have faith in his abilities as a coach and his continued involved in the structures of the BBC."

Blue Bulls team management will be confirmed later in the week.