Bulls president: Pote has proved himself at every level

Pretoria - Blue Bulls president Willem Strauss says head coach Pote Human will be a valuable asset for the union going forward.

This comes after the Blue Bulls Company on Tuesday confirmed Human as head coach of their Super Rugby and Currie Cup teams for 2019.

Alan Zondagh was also appointed as director of rugby. He will be responsible for overseeing the comprehensive rugby structures at Loftus versfeld, while supporting Human and his management team in their new roles.  

Strauss, who is also the chairperson of the Blue Bulls Company's board, commented: "Pote has proved himself at every level and has a track record that speaks for itself. We are privileged to have men of his calibre within our system... that can step up into this role. He has the full support of everybody at Loftus."

Human added: "It's a privilege and honour to be announced as head coach of the Bulls. I know it's a big task. You can appoint whoever you want, but if the team doesn't win, then you won't fill Loftus and I know that's our priority. And it's my aim for next year.

"I know we've got a good squad. I know the guys are hungry for success and we will really put everything in to make it work."

As a player, Human was a no-nonsense loose forward, one that racked up 116 games for Eastern Province, and 82 for the Free Sate, 64 of which he captained for the Bloemfontein-based side.

He started his coaching career with the SA under-23 side in 1995 as an assistant coach, then moved to Shimlas for a five-year period winning the National Club Championships in 2004, before becoming an assistant coach for the Blue Bulls' Currie Cup side in 2005.

In 2006 he became assistant coach to the Super Rugby team under Heyneke Meyer and in the same year shared the Currie Cup title with Free State Cheetahs as head coach. He was also an assistant coach to Meyer when the Bulls won their first Super Rugby title in 2007.

Human also spent two years at the Ricoh Rugby Club in Japan as forwards coach, before returning as director of rugby at Garsfontein High School. He then became head coach of Griquas for a short stint, before returning to Pretoria to coach Tuks to a Varsity Cup title.

His roles at Loftus Versfeld over the last few years varied between SuperSport Challenge and under-21 head coach, Super Rugby forwards coach and Currie Cup head coach.

BOK COACH ALSO ON BOARD

Meanwhile, the Bulls also confirmed that Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will be available to mentor Human and his team during the pre-season and heading into Super Rugby.

Details regarding Human’s support staff and assistants will be announced in due course.