Bulls can’t be soft against Bordeaux

Coach Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls will have to raise their game to beat Bordeaux Bègles in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup clash at Loftus.

The Bulls head into their tournament opener looking to rebound from last weekend’s disappointing home Vodacom URC defeat to the Lions.

But they have been bolstered by several returning Springboks – with 13 in total across the match 23 (seven in the starting lineup and six on a powerful bench).

Ackermann welcomed the reinforcements, even if they haven’t had much time back in the system.

“Yeah, it’s great to have those guys back in the mix and available,” he said. “They haven’t been with us as long as we would’ve liked, but they bring a lot of experience, and it’s good to see them slotting in.”

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Ackermann added that having Marcell Coetzee captain the side and Ruan Nortjé return to the bench gives the Bulls invaluable leadership.

“Marcell has led this team for years and brings a lot of experience. And having Ruan available on the bench gives us the luxury that, if we want to take off either Reinhardt [Ludwig] or Marcell, we know Ruan will be on the field. That’s the main reason – experience.”

Ackermann explained why some Boks will feature from the bench.

“We looked at the minutes they played, including the travelling, and felt that from a management point of view, we should let the guys who have played together locally start and test themselves against world-class opposition.

“We also wanted the returning Boks to spend time with their families. Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp were away for eight weeks – three with the Bulls tour, then five weeks in Europe. So it was important to get the balance right between training load and family time.”

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The Bulls face the reigning European champions, and Ackermann is under no illusions about the size of the task.

“You have to give credit where credit is due – they’re a world-class team. They pulled themselves up from Division 3, worked their way into the Top 14, and deservedly won the Champions Cup last season. They now deliver a lot of players to the French national side. They’ll come with confidence and experience.”

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What stung most in the loss to the Lions was the Bulls’ failure to finish chances – something they cannot afford to repeat on Saturday.

“We were obviously disappointed in last week’s performance. For 80 minutes we had so many opportunities, but we just didn’t execute. If you don’t take your opportunities, you’re probably not going to be on the winning side.”

Ackermann warned that Bordeaux will punish any defensive softness.

“If we’re soft like last week, we’ll get exposed. If you analyse Bordeaux, they score all over the field and off every phase. They’re a well-balanced side – they score off set piece, counter-attack, turnovers, lineouts – everything. They’ve got X-factor players across the park.”

Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Getty Images