Nollie Marais fired as Blue Bulls coach; John Mitchell takes over
The Bulls’ defeat in the Currie Cup on Saturday was the last straw as dwindling ticket sales and lacklustre performances put major pressure on the BBCO
The financially strained Blue Bulls Company (BBCO) has effectively sacked head coach Nollis Marais despite a statement saying he is "on leave" after yet another abject performance at the weekend. The Blue Bulls lost 41-40 at home against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday— their third Currie Cup loss of the campaign — clearly the last straw for the BBCO board as supporter numbers continue to dwindle. The Bulls have won no meaningful silverware since the claiming the 2010 Super Rugby title and they are suffering because of it. Earlier this year‚ at SA Rugby’s annual general meeting (AGM)‚ the Blue Bulls Rugby Union (BBRU) asked for a change to the SA Rugby constitution allowing for 100% outside ownership of unions. Currently unions can have up to 74% in private equity ownership. The BBRU sought an amendment to allow 100% outside ownership of the union so it could sell all its shares in BBCO‚ its commercial subsidiary‚ to an equity partner. The resolution was not put to a vote becaus...
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