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Bulls finally name new head coach

Could the Bulls' days of snapping up the likes of Pollard, Kriel and Gelant be over? (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The Bulls have finally confirmed their new Super Rugby head coach to replace John Mitchell, who left to take a defence coach role with England alongside Eddie Jones.

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Former Springboks lock Victor Matfield had been heavily linked to the role, but it’s believed he turned down the chance, forcing the Bulls to look elsewhere.

Southern Kings coach Deon Davids was also rumoured to be a contender, but instead they’ve chosen Pote Human, who led the Bulls during this years Currie Cup.

He will step up for the new 2019 Super Rugby season, looking to improve their disappointing 12th-placed finish, with only the Reds, Blues and Sunwolves below them.

The Bulls have also revealed Alan Zondagh as their new Director of Rugby, on a three-year deal.

Zondagh’s varied career includes coaching stints with Eastern Province, Western Province and in England with London Scottish.

The Bulls have had a busy post-season, with Mitchell’s departure, which earned the club £200,000 in compensation from the Rugby Football Union.

Continue reading below…
You may also like: John Mitchell talks to RugbyPass

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They have recruited experienced hooker Schalk Brits, who hopes the move will help in his bid to prove he deserves to make the Springboks World Cup squad in Japan.

Brits, who has won 11 caps, has kept himself fit with a punishing training programme and is relishing the thought of getting back into action against the Pumas. He told RugbyPass; “ I planned to go the Stormers but then I received a message saying they had financial issues and so now I will be joining the Bulls. I will start training with the Bulls in January and it is fantastic to be joining them and while it is for one season it is exciting. After the World Cup I am definitely done!

Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Oita

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Nickers 30 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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