New Zealander John Mitchell has a job on his hands to revive the struggling Bulls in South Africa.

Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell apparently wants $10 million to solve the ongoing problems of his struggling South African outfit the Bulls.

The former Super Rugby champions finished bottom of the South African conference and 12th overall this season and Mitchell's quick-fix is apparently to buy in some top talent to the Pretoria-based franchise.

Afrikaans website Netwerk24, in a report matched in other South African media, said Mitchell had asked the Bulls board for for R90m (NZ$10m) to try to get a competitive squad.

The report suggested Mitchell was keen on signing Springboks Duane Vermeulen (free agent), Schalk Brits (free agent), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks) and South African under-20 star Wandisile Simelane (Golden Lions).

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It's understood the request didn't sit well with some members of the board who are unhappy with the just-completed season where the Bulls won only six of their 16 matches, their worst effort in a 15-team competition.

The report said the Bulls' budget this year was R68m (NZ$7.6m).

The Bulls enjoyed a golden period between 2007 and 2010, winning three titles in four years.

The last time they made the semifinals was in 2013 when they were the South African conference winners.