Johan Ackermann says there shouldn’t be too much read into Friday’s pre-season showdown with the Stormers in Paarl.
The Vodacom Bulls boss insists their priority is to use the north-south derby at the Faure Street Stadium as a genuine test of their progress rather than chase a result.
Both sides will see the clash as an important examination of their skills and processes ahead of tricky away assignments in the opening round of the URC. The Stormers take on Connacht in Galway on Friday, 25 September, with the Bulls up against Zebre in Parma the following day.
Ackermann’s first wish is simply to get through the contest with his squad intact.
“It’s not that we want to go out there and damage each other,” the Bulls coach said on Monday.
“First and foremost, hopefully getting through 80 minutes with no injuries, that would be the top priority.
“Second, seeing where we are, from our lineouts right through to our general play and attack, getting a good read on how the things we’ve worked on are translating. Also getting some proper contact conditioning in.
“I know people will look at the result and draw conclusions – if we win it’s [going to be] a good year, if we lose it’s going to be a long season – but that’s definitely not one of our goals.”
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The match will also provide players with an opportunity to force their way into Ackermann’s plans.
“We’re still very much in the process of selecting a team, nobody is guaranteed a position, so this is also an opportunity for players to put their hands up,” he said.
“Mostly, though, it’s about getting a game under our belt and testing a few combinations and strategies.”
The Bulls have also had to rebuild following the departures of key players including Ruan Nortjé, Kurt-Lee Arendse and David Kriel, but Ackermann believes the newcomers have already begun to fill the gap.
“We’re losing a bit of experience and team cohesion, that’s the reality, it’s part of the game we’re in. But the new players who’ve come in have slotted in really well, quality people who bring a different kind of experience,” he said.
Ackermann highlighted loose forward Hanro Liebenberg’s English Premiership and Investec Champions Cup experience, winger Thaakir Abrahams’ time with Munster and flyhalf Curwin Bosch’s experience in France as reasons for optimism.
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The Bulls will also have to navigate the familiar disruption caused by Springbok call-ups once the URC gets under way.
“Every South African team is in the same boat, but yes, it’s disruptive, purely from wanting everybody in team meetings and training together to build the best possible cohesion and culture,” Ackermann said.
“Even if you’ve got many players away with the Springboks, you won’t have them until a certain date. We have to deal with that.”
The post Ackers: Pre-season derby not about result appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Johan Ackermann says there shouldn’t be too much read into Friday’s pre-season showdown with the Stormers in Paarl.
The post Ackers: Pre-season derby not about result appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
