Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he’s excited to see what Stravino Jacobs can do with more ball in hand against Munster in Limerick on Saturday.
Jacobs has moved from the left wing to inside centre for the URC clash at Thomond Park after Harold Vorster fell ill during the week.
Ackermann believes the 26-year-old’s physical attributes could make him an effective No 12.
“Stravino showed on the weekend [against Zebre] his power running. That’s his strength, ball in hand,” Ackermann said.
“That’s what we’re excited about, to see what he can do when he gets more ball in hand, because sometimes at wing you’re not guaranteed how many times you’re going to touch the ball. Sometimes the game just doesn’t go your way.
“Now we’re probably going to see him with much more ball in hand.
“Stravino reminds me of a Ruan Combrinck and Caleb Clarke, those kinds of players – physical. So we’re excited to see that.
“Defensively, he’s always been a good tackler, he’s always been a good defender. At 12, most of the time you face loose forwards running at you and other 12s running at you.
“He’ll hopefully be able to handle that, even though it’s a new position.”
TEAM: Bulls rejig backline for Munster battle
Jacobs’ switch sees former Munster wing Thaakir Abrahams wear the No 11 jersey, while in other changes to the backline, Hakeem Kunene replaces Willie le Roux at fullback and Zak Burger rotates with Paul de Wet at scrumhalf.
The Bulls began their campaign with a 47-13 victory against Zebre in Parma, while Munster will be looking to respond after a 26-20 home defeat to the Glasgow Warriors.
“I think Munster as a team are going to be so challenging,” said Ackermann. “They obviously want to fix what happened last season when we beat them [twice], especially in the quarter-final.
“We know they’re going to come out [firing]. They’ve lost their first game, so that will be added motivation.”
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Getty Images
The post Ackers backs Jacobs ‘power’ in midfield appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he’s excited to see what Stravino Jacobs can do with more ball in hand against Munster in Limerick on Saturday.
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