4 candidates in line to replace Mitchell - report

Cape Town - The Bulls have reportedly already started their search for a new head coach to replace John Mitchell.

It appears a foregone conclusion that Mitchell will leave the Bulls, with several reports indicating that he will become England’s new defence coach, bringing a premature end to his tenure at the Bulls as his contract was due to only expire at the end of October 2019.

Afrikaans publication Netwerk24 reported on Sunday that the four coaches being lined up by the Bulls are Jimmy Stonehouse, Victor Matfield, John Dobson and Hawies Fourie.

Stonehouse is the Pumas’ director of rugby and head coach, having recently returned from coaching the Toshiba Brave Lupus club in Japan.

Matfield, a former Springbok lock and Loftus Versfeld legend, spent time as the Lions’ assistant coach last year, while Dobson and Fourie are successful coaches of Western Province and Maties, respectively.

The report added that the Bulls’ new CEO will play a role in naming Mitchell’s successor.

The Pretoria franchise is yet to announce who will replace Barend van Graan as CEO when his contract expires at the end of January 2019.

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