Access to more black talent for Bulls

Cape Town - Bulls CEO Barend van Graan says their partnership with three smaller unions will help in their quest to select more players of colour.

The Pretoria franchise recently announced a partnership with Border, Boland and the Pumas, who will in future form part of the Bulls’ Super Rugby franchise.

“The Bulls are excited about the partnership, as we firmly believe that this strategic relationship will not only benefit the teams involved but will certainly enhance rugby in the various regions, ultimately strengthening the franchise and improving the Bulls performances in the long term,” Van Graan said earlier this month.

With transformation a big talking point in South African sport at present, the Bulls realised they had to find ways change the racial demographics of their teams.

In an interview with Netwerk24 this week, Van Graan admitted that the new partnership will aid the Bulls in their transformation goals.

“Where we always had to act like the enemy and poach players, we can now do it as a partner. We don’t have schools that produce enough coloured and black players. The process will be coordinated between all the unions,” said Van Graan.

“The four unions will still operate independently. This is a cooperation agreement and we have no say in how the other unions operate. The aim of this partnership is to improve the unions’ performance on and off the field.”