Rassie linked to coaching role at Bulls

Cape Town - Rassie Erasmus is being linked with a possible coaching role at the Bulls.

According to a report on Netwerk24, the current Springbok coach and SA Rugby director of rugby recently approached the Pretoria franchise to offer his assistance.  

This comes after several reports indicated that John Mitchell will leave the Bulls to become England’s defence coach.

The Afrikaans publication added that Erasmus' proposal was well received by the Bulls top brass and that he had already informed his bosses of the plan.

Should a deal be struck, Erasmus would coach the Bulls on a temporary basis in Super Rugby, while still fulfilling his SA Rugby duties.

Mitchell’s departure appears to be imminent and it was reported earlier in the week that the Bulls and the English RFU were negotiating a transfer fee for the New Zealander, with the fee believed to be R4 million (around £218 000).

His tenure at the Bulls will come to a premature end as his contract was due to only expire at the end of October 2019. He had a torrid first Super Rugby season in charge of the Bulls, winning just six of 16 games to finish bottom on the South African Conference.

Mitchell was previously the England forwards coach between 1997 and 2000 under Sir Clive Woodward.

In his new role, he will now work alongside England head coach Eddie Jones.

ALSO READ: Mitchell won't allow England standards to drop - Jeremy Guscott