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No more Twitter for Bulls

J.J. Harmse

Pretoria - A greater emphasis on individual skills development and a fast-tracking of promising junior players in this year's Currie Cup.

Those are the first interventions that could be expected from Heyneke Meyer in his capacity as the Bulls and Blue Bulls' new rugby chief executive.

Sport24 reported on the moves earlier this week.

Meyer, who became the first South African coach to win the Super Rugby title (with the Bulls) in 2007, will in future determine the direction of the team following a restructuring announced by union chief executive Barend van Graan at a press conference on Wednesday.

"We have to meet the challenges of the future if we want to remain a powerful role-player in rugby and make the Bulls the best team in the world," Van Graan said at the announcement.

"Our coaching team is world class and I want to thank the board for approving these moves."

All rugby now falls under Meyer, with Bulls head coach Frans Ludeke having been relieved of his Currie Cup duties.

Ludeke, who has won the Super Rugby title twice, will spend that time researching the game and investigate tendencies in other sporting codes overseas.

Johan (Pine) Pienaar becomes the new coach in the Currie Cup and will also coach the Vodacom Cup team. Nollis Marais (under-21) and Paul Anthony (under-19) will coach the junior teams.

Pienaar previously coached the Free State's Vodacom Cup and under-21 sides.

"With the new format of Super Rugby, incoming tours and Four Nations that will be introduced to the calendar in 2012, Frans will not have time for the Currie Cup. Pine was hand-picked to replace him and I am very excited about the new coaching set-up," said Meyer.

"We will give younger players the opportunity to play Currie Cup rugby as the Springboks cannot really compete in it any longer. Individual skills have suffered in the development of players and that is something we want to pay attention to," said Meyer.

Pienaar said that it's a huge challenge for him to become Currie Cup coach.

"The Blue Bulls are pace-setters in the game and the challenge to be part of that and raise the bar even further is one I couldn't refuse. I'm looking forward immensely to working with recognised coaches like Heyneke and Frans," said Pienaar.

He has recently returned from Italy where he was assistant coach of the SA under-20 side.

The Blue Bulls' Currie Cup squad will assemble under his command for the first time on Monday. Meyer will be in the background.

"We will emphasise the basic values of the past again. The Bulls will work harder than any other team and have the best work ethic in the country. The approach on the field will be an uncompromising one. The days of Twitter and tweets are over."

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