Bulls relieve Edgar Marutlulle of Currie Cup coaching duties

Edgar Marutlulle has been relieved of his Currie Cup coaching duties at the Bulls, following the team suffering four straight defeats.

Director of rugby Jake White will now take charge of the Currie Cup side, as he continues to guide the United Rugby Championship team.

Gert Smal, Hugo van As and Sean Everitt, the assistant coaches of the Currie Cup team, will continue in their roles.

‘Action taken’

White said Marutlulle understood the need to get the union back on track, following a string of defeats in all competitions.

The senior Bulls team were knocked out of the Champions Cup by Toulouse last weekend, while the side is scrambling to make the top eight and playoffs in the URC.

“I met with Edgar and he felt that there needed to be action taken, with the union coming first,” said White on Wednesday.

“It is a perspective that we both share and something I commend him on.

“It is important that our coaches continue to feel as though there is a pathway. Sometimes we will get successes and sometimes we must take a step back and be proactive, and as a union we are doing exactly that.

“I will take over, working with the new coaches. We will find a way, in and around the senior coaches, to make sure that we get our campaign back on track.”

‘Necessary to move forward’

Marutlulle will move back into the junior rugby structures at the Bulls.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to have been given the privilege of leading this Currie Cup side,” said Marutlulle.

“As a former player and now coach, I am and will always be a custodian of this great franchise and I believe that this is what is necessary for us to move forward.”

Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting and equipping Marutlulle with all the necessary skills to see him become a world-class coach.

“This is part of the ongoing review of the current structures we have at Loftus and should not be viewed as an isolated incident.

“Our long-term plan for Edgar remains unchanged. He has done well with the juniors, earning the trust and reputation of everyone in the sport. We want to see him continue to develop and grow, and part of that process is ensuring that he has all the right support and time to be able to produce the ideal results.

“He also returns his whole attention to the juniors as they get ready to start a new campaign in the SA Rugby competition ranks, looking to repeat the success they brought our franchise last season once more.”

The changes come into effect immediately.

The Bulls take on Griquas at Loftus Versfeld in the Currie Cup on Friday.