Coach Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls will go all out to beat the Glasgow Warriors in next Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 playoff.
The Bulls face a daunting trip to Scotstoun Stadium after sneaking into the playoffs with just one win in four pool matches – a dramatic 26-24 victory against Pau in France that ended a seven-match losing streak.
While the Bulls are focused on reaching the Vodacom URC playoffs, Ackermann insisted his side will approach the Champions Cup knockout clash with full intent.
“If we’re in the playoffs of the EPCR, we must give it a go,” he said. “We’re going to go out and give it our best shot.”
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The Bulls head to Scotland on the back of a 34-31 win against Munster at Loftus, a result that kept them firmly in the URC playoff race, but Ackermann warned that a step up will be required against the Warriors.
“Glasgow is the next challenge. We need to be better than today, because they will punish you if we make the same defensive errors,” he said.
“They’re probably the best attacking side in the competition, so it’s a massive challenge.
“We’ve got nothing to lose. We’re going to go there, go hard and give ourselves an opportunity. If we go further, that’s great, and then we take it from there.
“It’s one of the best competitions in the world, so we have to do our best job.”
ACKERS: Bulls left a lot of points out there
The Bulls will travel early in the week.
“We’ve got a Monday practice, just a light session,” said Ackermann. “We’ll put a few things in place for Glasgow and then we fly on Monday.
“Tuesday will just be a quiet day to get our bodies right.”
PLAY: Investec Champions Cup game centre
Investec Champions Cup round of 16 (SA times)
Friday, 3 April
Northampton Saints vs Castres (9pm)
Saturday, 4 April
Bath vs Saracens (4pm)
Toulon vs Stormers (4pm)
Glasgow Warriors vs Bulls (6:30pm)
Toulouse vs Bristol Bears (6:30pm)
Harlequins vs Sale Sharks (9pm)
Sunday, 5 April
Bordeaux Bègles vs Leicester Tigers (4pm)
Leinster vs Edinburgh (6:30pm)
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Bulls to give Champions Cup ‘best shot’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Johan Ackermann says the Vodacom Bulls will go all out to beat the Glasgow Warriors in next Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup last-16 playoff.
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