Johannesburg - SARU has announced that they have reached an agreement with the Blue Bulls Rugby Union negotiating the release of four coaches to be appointed to the Springbok management team as assistants to new Springbok coach, Heyneke Meyer.

Forwards coach Johan van Graan, fitness guru Basil Carzils, defence coach John McFarland and backline coach Ricardo Loubscher, had been earmarked by Meyer as preferred candidates for his background staff but all four had been contracted to the Blue Bulls Company and they were subsequently head-hunted by SARU.

The Bulls were reportedly seeking a fee in the region of a combined R2,5M compensation for all four coaches.

The announcement paves the way for Saru to negotiate national appointments with several members of their management team.

The acquisition of Heyneke Meyer’s preferred coaching team is a coup for SARU, who have spared no expense and detail in ensuring that the new coach has the perfect environment in which to achieve the optimal results.

Other coaches linked with positions inside the new coaching structure are Louis Koen as a kicking coach and former WP Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus as an analyst in a consulting role.

A press conference has been scheduled for Sunday, where it is believed the complete management team will be unveiled by SARU CEO Jurie Roux.