Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White confirms coaching staff

Bulls Director of Rugby, Jake White, on Wednesday confirmed his senior coaching group.

White heads up the group, as head coach.

Former head coach Nollis Marais will be the breakdown specialist – a new position created by the Bulls.

White outlined the importance of the role: “Teams have always had consultants or forwards coaches addressing the breakdown as part of their broader roles. This will become a key focus area for us going forward, especially with the breakdown laws being changed.

“It also speaks to the type of rugby we will be looking to play. Nollis has been around the block and knows exactly what we need. I have no doubt that he is the perfect man for this job.”

Joey Mongalo, will be the defence coach, after a decade with the Lions. He served in several roles including defence and attack for the Super Rugby, Currie Cup, SuperSport Rugby Challenge and junior teams where he assisted in winning silverware including back-to-back SA Rugby Under-19 Championship titles.

He also served as an assistant coach to the Junior Springboks in 2016; Director of Coaching at King Edwards VII School in Johannesburg and the Defence Coach of Wits in the Varsity Cup.

He is no stranger to Loftus Versfeld as he represented the union in the Currie Cup and various junior campaigns which claimed an SA Rugby Under-20 Championship title and two SA Rugby Under-21 Championship titles.

Russel Winter was officially announced as forwards coach last week, while current backline coach Chris Rossouw continues his work with the backs. Pine Pienaar moves out of his role as defence coach, and into the role of technical advisor.

White is also in the process of addressing the need for a new scrum coach.

“The Bulls will also be looking to announce a new scrum coach in the near future, as we have agreed to release Daan Human to the Springboks. He has done some amazing work with the pack, as can be seen on the field, and undoubtedly will be missed at Loftus. We have already engaged a few candidates and are confident that we will announce a suitable replacement shortly.”

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