The Blue Bulls Company Pty (Ltd) is pleased to announce several new additions to its current coaching staff, as well as the long term appointment of Heyneke Meyer as Executive: Rugby.

Meyer will run a streamlined rugby department, which will see the appointment of Johan (Pine) Pienaar as the ABSA Currie Cup coach and Vodacom Cup Coach of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, as well as former Tuks Rugby head coach Nollis Marais, as the Vodacom Blue Bulls u.21 coach; a decision taken and approved by the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd board of directors at a board meeting which was held on 30 May 2011.

Incumbent Vodacom Super Rugby head coach Frans Ludeke, remains in charge of the Vodacom Bulls on a long term contract. Ludeke will head up the Senior Professional Rugby department, and will be joined by Pienaar, who has just completed a stint as assistant coach for the South African under 20 team, who will be slotting in as the Vodacom Blue Bulls coach during Currie Cup season. Pienaar will also take charge of the Vodacom Cup side in future.

Marais will head the Junior Professional Rugby department; with current u.19 coach Paul Anthony continuing in the role. Former Eastern Province Kings coach, Corné Korff has been added to the u.19 staff as backline coach, with Elias Bennett now the team manager.

High Performance Manager Ian Schwartz will continue in his portfolio, which will be expanded, while Johan Schoeman will run the Game Development portfolio on the amateur side of the union.

In announcing the changes at the press conference at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd, Barend van Graan, said these steps were necessary to make sure the Vodacom Bulls remain a powerhouse in the game.

“We need to challenge the future and these appointments will help us to build a new legacy at the Vodacom Bulls after a very successful era has passed. Heyneke will focus on developing the ‘Bulls way’, while Frans will be able to focus on Super Rugby and the research and development that goes with that”.

Van Graan added that they will be appointing more specialists, who will be available to all the Blue Bulls teams. Bioceneticist Shaun du Toit is one such a specialist who has been newly appointed.

A big emphasis will also be placed on the amateur structures to deliver more players to the professional ranks, with Werner de Beer (High Performance – Amateur Rugby and Scouting) and Xander Janse van Rensburg (High Performance – Schools Rugby and Scouting) given that responsibility.

Van Graan also announced the appointment of Richard Papo as Marketing Manager. Papo has been involved in classical FMCG Marketing for the past 13 years, specialising in Strategic Marketing. He has worked in various senior marketing positions for both local and multinational FMCG companies including Tiger Brands, Cadbury, Clover SA and Brand House, managing some of the biggest market leading brands in South Africa.

“One of the challenges in our structures has been the marketing of the Vodacom Bulls brand. Richard comes with valuable experience to help with the marketing of the Vodacom Bulls Brand allowing it to reach its full potential.”

The Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd is still looking to fill the position of Executive: Commercial & Finance.

“We are looking to appoint someone to manage the overall commercial and financial aspects, develop alternative revenue streams and stimulate stadium events, all the things that need to generate additional money and maximize return on investments .”