Jake White, director of rugby at the Bulls, told the media earlier this week that, as the current Currie Cup champion, it is important for the Bulls to recruit only the best coach to take the reins as the franchise’s Currie Cup coach in the difficult 2022 season.

.This appointment will be necessitated by the fact that the Currie Cup competition and the United Rugby Championship will overlap in the future.

White stuck to his intentions, by appointing one of the most seasoned and experienced coaches in South Africa as the Bulls’ new Currie Cup coach. The Bulls announced earlier today that Gert Smal will take over as the side’s new Carling Currie Cup head coach.

“We are excited to have a coach of Gert Smal’s calibre joining our ranks as the head coach of the Blue Bulls’ Carling Currie Cup team,” White, confirmed.

He said the competition remains the premier domestic tournament. It has, therefore, been important for the Bulls to bring in somebody with vast coaching experience and an understanding of the game to complement the vision of this union.

“We are focused and working hard on ensuring that our Carling Currie Cup campaign and planning is on track. We have now won it twice in a row, and we have won the most out of any union. So, we take it very seriously.

“We are working hard that whatever date we are given for it to start, or whatever other competition we’re in, we take it very seriously. We’re not going to allow the chance to win three Carling Currie Cups in a row to be taken for granted.”

The 59-year-old former Springbok’s coaching CV speaks for itself. He was assistant coach to White during the successful era which led to the Springboks winning the 2007 World Cup in France.

Smal further held the role of assistant coach for Ireland from 2008 until 2013 before assuming a position as director of rugby at Western Province. Most recently, he has been coaching at Japanese club, Toyota Verblitz as forwards coach.

“It is an honour for me to be given this opportunity to coach at one of the top unions in South Africa and also in a competition of such prestige as the Carling Currie Cup,” said Smal.

“The Bulls are in a good space at the moment as the winners of the Carling Currie Cup for two seasons in a row. Our aim will be to continue flying the union’s flag high and cementing our position as the most competitive side in South African rugby. I look forward to the journey ahead with this ambitious side,” Smal concluded.

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