Defence a big thing for Bulls

Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls’ defensive issues can’t be viewed in isolation. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.

The Pretoria-based franchise is under pressure heading into Sunday’s Investec Champions Cup match against the Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens having lost their opener to Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus last weekend.

The Bulls have conceded 27 tries in six Vodacom URC matches this season, followed by another seven against Bordeaux, putting the spotlight firmly on their defensive system.

“Defence is a big thing for us,” Ackermann said on Friday. “Our defensive record this season is not good enough – that’s something we’re well aware of and something we keep talking about as a coaching group and as players.”

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The Bulls missed 25 tackles against Bordeaux for a completion rate of 81%, but Ackermann stressed those numbers only tell part of the story.

“If you look at that second half against Bordeaux, for about 20 minutes we couldn’t exit our half. We gave away penalties, lost breakdowns, they kicked to the corner, we held them up over the line, then we kicked and conceded another penalty,” he explained.

“If you give one of the top teams – whether it’s Bordeaux, Glasgow or any of the best sides – constant entries into your 22, you’re going to concede somewhere.”

Ackermann said errors on both sides of the ball had compounded the problem.

“You can only afford to make so many mistakes. The obvious thing is the tries – we’re leaking close to five tries a game, and that’s not good enough. Any decent coach will tell you that.

“But if we don’t fix the other things – discipline, exits, breakdowns and positioning – we’re not going to make it easy for ourselves.”

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The Bulls are resting several Springboks for Sunday’s fixture, including flyhalf Handre Pollard, who made just one appearance on the Boks’ five-match end-of-year tour and has featured just twice for the Bulls since returning to Pretoria.

Ackermann explained why on-loan Kade Wolhuter starts at 10 ahead of Keagan Johannes, who performed well there for the Bulls last season when Johan Goosen was injured.

“We still have a lot of faith in Keagan,” the coach said. “Last season he was moved to 10 because of injuries, but this is his first season where he’s trained properly as a flyhalf and had a full pre-season there.

“He’s competing for both nine and 10 in our selection meetings, and we have to be fair to him.”

Ackermann said Wolhuter’s specialist background and recent integration into the squad gave him the edge this week.

“Kade is a natural 10 – that’s his position. He’s trained well, he’s settled in with how we want to play, and he’s now had a few weeks with us,” he said.

“He’s played at a high level before, so it’s not like we’re throwing in a young guy for the first time. This is his opportunity, and we want to see how he goes against one of the best teams.”

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Ackermann added that competition for places remains non-negotiable.

“If you look at the Springboks, you’re never certain you’re going to play a Test. No one is guaranteed a jersey. Players must play their best to stay there, and that’s the environment we want.

“Kade gets his chance now, and Keagan must keep challenging – and he will get opportunities again.”

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Photo: Christiaan Kotze/INPHO