In a tense and hard-fought clash away in Galway on Friday night, the Vodacom Bulls edged out Connacht by a single point in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC), a result that has lifted spirits in Pretoria and reinforced belief within the squad.
Coach Johan Ackermann expressed clear relief and satisfaction in the aftermath of the match, won 28-27, emphasising the importance of the win for the team’s morale and cohesion.
“A one-point win not just changed the mood of Pretoria, it changed the mood in the change room as well,” Ackermann said. “It was a happy change room. A great, grateful one. Very grateful that it went our way because I felt we were in the game and controlled the game in quite big areas.”
Despite the narrow margin, Ackermann highlighted how the Vodacom Bulls effectively dominated parts of the game but nearly let the victory slip away in the closing moments. The coach acknowledged some errors but praised the resilience shown by the players. “We still make silly defensive errors, like the try they scored around the ruck, but the way the guys put their bodies out there,” he said, citing statistics that the team made 246 tackles while missing only 24 – a “massive effort,” he called it.
“We are delighted to be on the right side of it. It was entertaining, with lots of moments where the game swung and the momentum swung. “Each team threw punches, and luckily, we were on the right side. It could have gone the other way with that kick at the end."
Defensive improvement was an area of emphasis, especially after the team had struggled defensively in previous rounds. “We had a good talk in the week about effort and defence being a big part of how much you care for each other and the team,” Ackermann remarked. He pointed to a significant turnaround in effort and commitment on defence, although acknowledging there is still work to do.
Individual performances also drew the coach’s praise, with senior players like Jan Hendrik Wessels and Paul de Wet stepping up, alongside younger players like Sebastian de Klerk. “The way these players put their hands up and showed work ethic was phenomenal,” said Ackermann. He singled out younger players like JJ Theron for their physicality and growth. “He is 20 years old and has really stood up physically.”
Leadership within the squad was also a key positive; captain Reinhardt Ludwig led well in a tough away fixture. “Reinhardt has been a born leader, talks well with the team and showed great calmness and decision-making,” Ackermann said. This leadership, combined with healthy competition for places, is helping drive the squad forward as the season progresses.
The team’s tactical game management, notably the kicking game, was another area of focus. Connacht had held possession for long periods in previous matches, but the Bulls’ strategy to kick well and put pressure on Connacht to force errors was largely successful. “For most of the time, we got it right with the kicking game,” Ackermann stated, though admitting some unlucky bounces and rushed kicks in turnover situations.
Ackermann noted the challenge presented by the artificial 4G pitch in Galway and the windy conditions, which made ball control and tactical kicking harder at times. “The ball can go anywhere on these pitches. We just have to get better in those small moments,” he said.
The coach reflected on moments where the team could have done better to maintain control, referencing a crucial cross-kick error that allowed Connacht to score late and nearly snatch the game. “Those are moments we have to fix . . . we should not have put ourselves in those positions,” he remarked.
“It wasn’t perfect, but I am proud of the effort and the commitment that the guys showed out there. Any win is great for confidence and momentum.”
Regarding the missed opportunity to secure a bonus point through scoring more tries, Ackermann remained pragmatic. “If you told me before that we would win by one point and get the four points, I would have taken it every time,” he reflected. “Connacht is a quality side with many internationals and a new coach; they are on a high.”
Looking ahead, Ackermann confirmed several changes to the squad for their next URC fixture against world-class side Glasgow Warriors. Notably, Alulutho Tshakweni will be leaving to support family due to a funeral, and Wilco Louw and Canan Moodie will return to the Springbok squad, affecting the front row and wing positions.
The Bulls coach emphasised that success this season is not about individuals but the whole squad stepping up. “It’s about the whole group putting their hands up when they get the jersey to play for the team,” he said.