Coach Johan Ackermann believes the Vodacom Bulls can remain a force in the URC despite the departure of several key players and Springbok call-ups. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
The Bulls suffered a fourth URC final defeat in five seasons, against Leinster in Dublin on Friday night, which Ackermann said highlighted just how difficult the tournament is to win.
“It’s a very tough competition,” he said. “If you win it, you deserve a lot of credit. You have to deal with travel, different conditions, international call-ups and squad depth. You need to play well at home and away.
“I hope people realise what an achievement it is to win this competition.”
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The Bulls will now bid farewell to lock Ruan Nortjé (Kubota Spears), tighthead prop Wilco Louw (Stormers), winger Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) and utility back David Kriel (La Rochelle).
“It’s quality players who are leaving and obviously we’ll lose a lot of experience,” Ackermann admitted.
“But rugby is an opportunity sport. When a player leaves or gets injured, somebody else gets an opportunity and often that player becomes a star.
“We’ve signed some good young players, some players from smaller unions and one or two players returning from overseas.”
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The Bulls have recruited former Springbok flyhalf Curwin Bosch from France, wing Thaakir Abrahams from Ireland and former Junior Boks captain Hanro Liebenberg from England.
Promising youngsters Luan Giliomee, Hakeem Kunene and Mawande Mdanda have arrived from the Sharks, while wing Dylan Maart has joined from Griquas.
The Bulls must also prepare for another period without many of their leading players after Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus named 12 Bulls in his 46-man Nations Championship squad.
“That’s something we simply have to deal with,” Ackermann said. “It’s time for the younger players to step up and make a good account of themselves.
“We have to adjust our entire pre-season because of the Springbok programme and the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa.
“We don’t have three uninterrupted months to prepare for the URC. We have to plan around the All Blacks game as well, and that’s the challenge.”
The Bulls host the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on 15 August before the opening Test at Ellis Park.
“Now we have to cut our rest a bit shorter and build the players back up so they’re physically ready for contact in that All Blacks game, before tapering down again.
“Otherwise, the season becomes too long to keep everyone training at the same intensity.
“The first few months will be about integrating new players, but there’s enough young talent to hopefully carry us through that period.
“We’re disappointed now, but we’ll reflect, learn from it and move forward. The future of the Bulls is still very exciting.”
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The post Ackers insists Bulls future is bright appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Johan Ackermann believes the Vodacom Bulls can remain a force in the URC despite the departure of several key players and Springbok call-ups.
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