Marais steps in as Bulls Currie Cup coach

Pretoria - The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd on Monday confirmed that Nollis Marais will be the union's head coach for the Currie Cup Premier Division.

Marais replaces Hendre Marnitz, who coached the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup Qualifiers while Marais took charge of the Super Rugby side.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the Bulls said the reason for the extension of Marais's duties was to ensure continuity in the playing squad, with almost 90% of the players having played under him in Super Rugby.

"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 the Blue Bulls as well. It just makes sense for him to continue with the group of players that are developing so nicely under his guidance," said Barend van Graan, CEO of the BBC.

The position of Marnitz will be confirmed later in the week once Marais' full management team has been finalised, but 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 Hendre's abilities. The progress and growth shown by the team under Nollis is something we want to expand and grow, hence the decision."

The Blue Bulls have struggled in the Currie Cup Qualifiers, winning just seven matches out of 14 to date, but Van Graan dismissed the notion that Marnitz was sacked.

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

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