Ackermann Questions Himself As Bulls Turn To The Sharks

A visibly dejected and distraught Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann lamented his side’s results, injuries, and short-term prospects after a thorough walloping by Northampton Saints 50-5 at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday.

In a game where they conceded eight tries, the defeat was their fourth consecutive in all competitions and second successive in the Investec Champions Cup following defeat to Bordeaux Begles last week. 

Ackermann said preparation going into Sunday’s game was good despite the result.

“When you leak that amount of tries, you start questioning yourself as coaches and management,” he said. 

“We prepared the guys well during the week – Friday was one of our better training sessions, and it doesn’t help that we lost by the margin that we lost,” he added. 

“The only thing we can do is keep working with the individuals, keep working with the team, keep working at improving. I know talk is cheap because at the end of the day the results are not showing that we’re working on it, but I can promise that we are,” Ackermann said somberly. 

With pressure mounting at an insurmountable rate, Ackermann was made aware that if results continue in a similar vein, his position, as well as those of his coaching team – not the players – will be on the chopping block.

“When we pick players, there is an expectation that they can do the job – and we can keep working with them, then it’s up to us to make sure they can do it,” he explained.

“If we feel they can’t do it, then we’ll give the next guy an opportunity…

“If they are good enough to be signed by us, then hopefully they are good enough to perform. Nobody purposely goes out to make a mistake,” Ackermann said, backing his players.

The Vodacom Bulls will now shift their focus back to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, where key derbies against the Sharks and the Stormers await them.

The Sharks, who welcomed back their Springbok contingent, looked strong and gave a good account of themselves against English powerhouses Saracens, winning 28-23. 

Ackermann divulged their prospects heading into the fixture despite the short turnaround time.

“We arrive home on Tuesday, we’ll only have Thursday and Friday to train before flying down to Durban,” Ackermann mentioned.

“Then we’ll need to get the minds positive, bodies healed up and full of energy and challenge a good Sharks side in Durban.”

Ackermann also outlined what lies ahead, with an in-form Stormers side awaiting them after they clashed with the Sharks.

“If we can get through that game, then it’s the big challenge against the Stormers, who are obviously in great form,” he said.

With the imminent focus on recovering from the latest defeat, both mentally and physically, Ackermann wants to reassess the condition of his players before choosing who to play in the Sharks game. 

“It’s not an easy two weeks, but the only thing we can do is get 23 players fit and healthy. There are a lot of injuries and niggles in the team – we’ve got at least three guys that won’t be available next week – but I don’t want to speculate, we’ll see once we get the full medical,” the Bulls coach said. 

The Vodacom Bulls take on the Sharks on Saturday, 20 December at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium at 18h00.