Bulls back former coach for Currie Cup
NEWS: The Blue Bulls have turned to a former coach to take charge of their Currie Cup team.
The Bulls revealed that Pote Human will assume the role of head coach during the 2018 Currie Cup season.
This will see Executive of Rugby and Super Rugby head coach, John Mitchell, focus on his other roles – including spending more time at the junior ranks ensuring that the ‘blueprint’ functions throughout the club, while also preparing for the 2019 Super Rugby Season.
The 59-year-old, Human, is a rugby man to the core and boasts a proud playing record as a ‘no-nonsense’ No.8, having played at Craven week and for the SA schools team, before going on to represent Eastern Province in 116 matches and the Free State in 84 (captaining 62 of those).
Human, was also a legend at club level, winning two National club titles with Dispatch in the Eastern Cape.
He is no stranger to coaching at this level, as he held the reigns in 2006 – when captain Gary Botha and his men famously drew with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, to share the Currie Cup.
His highlight, however, was assisting Heyneke Meyer in 2007, as the forwards coach, to steer the Bulls to their first Super Rugby title.
In 2011, he accepted a three-year deal in Kimberley, where he took the role of head coach, leading a spirited Griquas team in the Currie Cup competition.
Human’s CV also shows a stint in Japan, and a few successful seasons at Tuks, with two prestigious Varsity Cup titles as well, among a string of other accolades.
“I’m really proud to be part of this system, with every day being a learning experience for me and all those involved,” Human said.
“There is a new energy at Loftus, and even though the results may not show it yet, I believe that there is something very special brewing here.
“We have a young and exciting group going into the season, and I look forward to growing with these players.”
The remaining management team for the Currie Cup season will mostly remain as it did for the Super Rugby competition, with the most noticeable change being that technical analyst, John-Williams Meyer, will now also be responsible for the defence.
Team management:
HEAD COACH: Pote Human
ASSISTANT COACHES: Gary Botha, Hayden Groepes
TECHNICAL AND defence: John-Williams Meyer
DOCTOR: Herman Rossouw
COORDINATOR OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS: Hendy Seerane
BAGGAGE AND KIT MASTER: Elias Bennet
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS: Pieter du Plessis & Lance Lemmetjies
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING: Jacus Coetzee, Ghafoer Luckan
REHAB SPECIALIST: Juandre Williams
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MANAGER: Xander Janse van Rensburg
MEDIA MANAGER: Shanil Mangaroo
