Reinhardt Ludwig says the pain of being left out of the Bulls team last season has motivated him to make the most of his opportunity in this campaign.
The 24-year-old lock was a standout performer in the Bulls’ 47-13 opening-round URC win against Zebre in Parma, scoring two tries and winning a game-high 10 lineouts.
It marked an impressive return to action for Ludwig, whose frustrating 2025-26 season saw his last Bulls appearance come against the Lions in round 11 in late January before he fell out of the match 23.
“It wasn’t always sunshine and roses,” Ludwig said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Munster at Thomond Park.
“The past seven months I didn’t play much, especially at the end of last season. I wasn’t part of the match-day 23, and it hurts not to play.
“The only guy who knows that feeling is the guy who isn’t picked on a Monday to play on a Saturday. That feeling just stuck with me.
“I think it motivated me a lot through this pre-season. I was lucky this weekend to have a good outing.
“It doesn’t just happen overnight that you play good rugby or have a good game. I think it was months and months of hard work and sitting with coaches, talking to them: ‘What must I work on? What do I need in my game to play for you?’ There were some tough conversations.
“But I think as a player you want honesty and you want to know where you stand.”
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With Bok lock Ruan Nortjé having left the Bulls, coach Johan Ackermann has backed Ludwig and 22-year-old JF van Heerden to help fill the void in the second row.
“Ruan left a big mark and he’s left big shoes to fill,” said Ludwig. “But the nice thing is that we’re young locks, we’re very ambitious and all of us want to be where Ruan is one day.
“We’ve been thrown in at the deep end a little bit, but I feel that’s where you learn and grow the quickest. You have to adapt. I love challenging and pushing myself.
“Sometimes it’s nice to hear other voices rather than just Ruan’s. It’s no longer just Ruan’s plan, but that of a few guys, and we’re trying to make it work.”
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The Bulls now head to Limerick to face a Munster side looking to bounce back from a 26-20 home defeat against the Glasgow Warriors in round one.
Ludwig expects a significant step up from Zebre.
“Munster is definitely another challenge. They’re a good side, they’re a proper Irish side. You have to respect them.
“Against a quality side like Munster, you’ll have to be more consistent.”
Photo: @BlueBullsRugby/X
The post Ludwig driven by Bulls hurt appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Reinhardt Ludwig says the pain of being left out of the Bulls team last season has motivated him to make the most of his opportunity in this campaign.
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