The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) has announced the appointment of two high-performance consultants to bolster the technical development of the national teams.
Cornelius Nollis Marais will oversee the Uganda Rugby Cranes 15s, while Bronson Weir takes charge of the Uganda Lady Cranes 7s.
Marais, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in elite rugby, has played a key role in South African rugby, particularly with the Blue Bulls Rugby Union.
His coaching résumé includes leading the University of Pretoria’s Varsity Cup team to two titles and guiding the Bulls U21 team to multiple Currie Cup championships.
He has also served as head coach for the Bulls’ senior teams in both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby. More recently, he was appointed by Jake White as the Bulls’ Rugby Coordinator and Breakdown Specialist, contributing to their 2021 Super Rugby and Currie Cup victories.
Weir, a World Rugby Level 3 Certified Coach, brings significant experience in Sevens Rugby and player development. His previous roles include coaching Uganda’s U21 national team, leading Nigeria’s national team, and serving as an assistant coach for Kenya 7s.
He has also worked with SA Students 7s and played a key role in setting up the Kenya 7s Development Academy. Weir recently coached Burkina Faso’s national team from 2022 to 2024 and has been a World Rugby Educator since 2013.
Speaking on the appointments, URU Vice President Technical Eric Butime expressed confidence in the duo’s ability to elevate Ugandan rugby.
“We are delighted to welcome Nollis and Bronson to the Uganda Rugby Union. Their expertise in high-performance coaching will be instrumental in improving our national teams’ technical quality and overall performance on the international stage,” he said.
The consultants will work closely with the current coaching staff of their respective teams. Their appointments come at a crucial time for Ugandan rugby, with the Lady Cranes 7s set to compete in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in South Africa this March.
Uganda has been drawn in Pool C alongside Belgium and Colombia, following an impressive debut where they finished sixth overall.
Meanwhile, the Rugby Cranes 15s will be eyeing a historic qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Uganda is set to host the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, providing a major opportunity for the team to secure a place in the global tournament by becoming African champions.
