The Bulls have announced two new signings, while Nollis Marais has been demoted to coach the U19s.
Frans van Wyk and Thembelani Bholi will join the Bulls from Western Province and the Kings respectively, with coach John Mitchell having announced his wider training squad for the 2018 Super Rugby season on Wednesday.
Mitchell included a number of new faces, as well as those still plying their trade in Japan, most notably locks RG Snyman and Jason Jenkins.
Two Blitzboks, Tim Agaba and Stedman Gans, are also in the group, although they are currently preparing with the Springbok Sevens squad in Stellenbosch at the moment.
‘The squad shows a good combination of old hands and young upstarts and they all know one thing, no spot in the final squad is guaranteed,’ Mitchell said.
‘Everyone will have to contribute and work very hard to make it into the final group, and that will bring some competition in the squad, something that can only benefit us in the long run.’
The Bulls will play the Lions, Sharks and Stormers in three warm-up matches in 2018.
Meanwhile, it’s notable that Marais, who coached the Bulls in the 2017 Super Rugby season, will only be involved in the U19 setup, despite an expectation that he would take care of the Provincial Rugby Challenge side.
Bulls squad:
Props: Pierre Schoeman, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Conraad van Vuuren, John-Roy Jenkinson, Frans van Wyk, Mox Mxoli, Matthys Basson, Gerhard Steenekamp (Apprentice, injured).
Hookers: Jaco Visagie, Adriaan Strauss, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Henning Campher, Corniel Els (injured)
Locks: Jason Jenkins, RG Snyman (both Japan), Lood de Jager, Aston Fortuin, Ruben van Heerden, Eli Snyman, Abongile Nonkontwana
Loose Forwards: Roelof Smit, Jacques Potgieter (Japan), Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp (injured), Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager (Japan), Hendré Stassen (injured), Marco van Staaden, Tim Agaba (SA Sevens), Thembelani Bholi, Shaun Adendorff, Boom Prinsloo, Denzil Hill (apprentice), Eduan Lubbe (apprentice), Jaco Bezuidenhout (apprentice), Kwezi Mafu (apprentice), Ryno Pieterse (apprentice).
Scrumhalves: Ivan van Zyl (injured), Andre Warner, Embrose Papier, Theo Maree, Rudy Paige.
Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok, Tony Jantjies, Tinus de Beer.
Midfielders: Jesse Kriel, Dries Swanepoel, Johnny Kotze, Ulrich Beyers, Stedman Gans (SA 7s), Burger Odendaal, Francois Brummer (Japan), JT Jackson (injured).
Outside backs: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jamba Ulengo, Duncan Matthews, Jade Stighling, Franco Naude, Divan Rossouw, Andell Loubser (apprentice).
Super Rugby management team:
Head Coach and defence: John Mitchell
Skills, attack and kicking: Hayden Groepes
Forward coach and lineouts: Pote Human
Forward coach and scrums: Gary Botha
Baggage and kit master: Elias Bennett
Team doctor: Dr Herman Rossouw
Team physios: Lance Lemmetjies & Pieter du Plessis
Senior rehab specialist: Juandre Williams
Strength and conditioning coaches: Jacus Coetzee and Ghafoer Luckan
Technical analyst: John William Meyer
Provincial Rugby Challenge and U21:
Head Coach and backline: David Manuel
SuperSport Challenge, U21 and U19 kicking: Divan Strydom
Forward coach: Anton Leonard
Scrum coach: Gary Botha
Defence: John Mitchell
Team Manager and technical analyst: Vainon Willis
Baggage and kit master: Zama Dyidi
Team doctor: Dr Gerhard Louwrens
Team physio: Kyle Meyer
Junior rehab specialist: Yusuf Vahed
Strength and conditioning coach: Shaun du Toit
Blue Bulls U19:
Head coach and forwards: Nollis Marais
SuperSport Challenge, U21 and U19 kicking: Divan Strydom
Backline coach: Bevin Fortuin
Scrum coach: Gary Botha
Defence: John Mitchell
Team manager and technical analyst: Curtley Prins
Baggage and kit master: Akhona Faleni
Team doctor: Dr Gerhard Lourens
Team physio: Um’r Ismail
Junior rehab specialist: Yusuf Vahed
Strength and conditioning coach: Henri-Charl Terblanche
Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images
