And Bruce has confirmed that that decision was one that he found the hardest of his short managerial career so far: "It was possibly the hardest decision I’ve had to make because Benno was in absolutely fantastic form towards the back end of last season," Bruce told the club's official website, www.bcfc.com.
"But when I met Maik Taylor the one thing I had to do was guarantee him a start to bring him here.
"I’ve had to explain that to Benno and I think he understands.
"It was pointless bringing in somebody who was prepared to be a number two
beneath Benno because that wouldn’t have made us any better.
"The one thing I can guarantee is that if or when Benno is called upon again and he plays to those same standards he showed last year then of course he will get his chance again."
Taylor will be looking to put on a good show at Southampton on saturday having played for the Saints between 1996-7.
