Johan Ackermann says mental readiness will be crucial for the Bulls ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash with the Sharks in Durban.
The under-pressure Bulls are coming off an embarrassing 50-5 Investec Champions Cup defeat to the Northampton Saints, a result that extended their losing run to four matches in all competitions.
Complicating matters further, they only return from England on Tuesday.
“We will only be able to train on Thursday and Friday before we fly to Durban,” Ackermann said.
The Bulls are also nursing a growing injury list after the heavy loss at Franklin’s Gardens. Flyhalf Kade Wolhuter suffered a knee injury during the match, while Ackermann confirmed there are several other concerns within the squad.
“We’ll have to look at our planning a bit differently,” he said. “There’s a lot of soreness and a few injuries. When we get back, we’ll assess who is fit and available and then select the team. There are at least three players who could be unavailable, but we’ll know more after the medical checks.”
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One positive for the Bulls is the return of several Springboks who were rested for the Champions Cup clash. Ackermann can call on the likes of Wilco Louw, Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden, Cameron Hanekom, Handre Pollard, Canan Moodie and Kurt-Lee Arendse to bolster his side against a Sharks team that edged Saracens 28-23 in Durban last weekend.
“This week is about getting the guys’ heads right,” Ackermann said. “We need to get them positive and make sure they’re rested enough to face a good Sharks side. If we can get a result there, it gives us something to build on before the [Christmas] break and the Stormers game in Cape Town [on 3 January].”
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Despite the recent run of results, Ackermann insists he is not panicking and has urged Bulls supporters to remain patient.
“We’re not going to give up,” he said. “Losing tests your character – it shows whether you stay down or get up. I feel for the players because we push them hard, but we’ll keep looking for solutions. I don’t let winning or losing define me as a coach, and I won’t allow this group to lose belief.”
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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Ackers aims to get Bulls’ heads right appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Johan Ackermann says mental readiness will be crucial for the Bulls ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash with the Sharks in Durban.
The post Ackers aims to get Bulls’ heads right appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
