Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says discipline is the key focus ahead of next Friday night’s URC final against Leinster at Croke Park. MORNÉ ESBEN reports.
The Pretoria-based side fought their way back from two yellow cards and a 21-3 deficit to beat the Glasgow Warriors 22-21 at Murrayfield last Saturday. Against Leinster, however, Ackermann believes discipline and accuracy from the opening whistle will be non-negotiable.
“Discipline is important,” he said. “We failed that test on Saturday against Glasgow with those two yellow cards in the first half and we gave them that lead of 21-3. Leinster almost always win the games they start fast in, so we can’t afford that kind of discipline against them.”
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The good news for the Bulls is that Ackermann expects to have a full-strength squad available for the trip to Ireland.
“It looks good, we got through the game. There are one or two guys who are a bit sore – Marcell [Coetzee] had a sore shoulder and Elrigh [Louw] a sore foot – but nothing that the doctor is concerned about. So it looks like everyone who played on Saturday will be ready to go by next Friday.”
While pleased with the resilience his side showed against Glasgow, Ackermann admitted there are still areas that require attention before the title decider.
“We just need to get some clarity on our roles in our set-piece defence, and our one-on-one tackles are not where they’re meant to be. It got better as the game progressed, but you don’t want to chase 21-3 in every game.
“And for the first time this season, we were just a little bit slow at our breakdown in that first half where they got a few turnovers on us. But it got better after about the 30th minute.”
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The Bulls’ rise to the URC final has been one of the stories of the season after a difficult start to Ackermann’s tenure.
The coach credited both his players and attack coach Neil de Bruin for helping turn the campaign around.
“Credit to Neil who came in and brought a new energy and a new excitement. But I think the spark came when the players kept believing in the plans we wanted to implement, the culture started to form and our values starting becoming more practical.
“And then that Pau [Champions Cup pool] game really stood out. I saw a team really start believing in what we wanted to do.”
The Vodacom Bulls seek redemption on Grand Final Friday!
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— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) June 10, 2026
Photo: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
The post Ackers: Discipline paramount to Bulls’ final success appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says discipline is the key focus ahead of next Friday night’s URC final against Leinster at Croke Park.
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