Speaking ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final against Munster at Loftus Versfeld, Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said finding a balance between acknowledging playoff pressure and executing their natural, expansive game but avoiding being paralysed by the occasion.
.Ackermann said that playoff matches are determined on the day. Players must accept the burden of expectation without letting it restrict their enjoyment or natural flair.
“There’s that fine balance between adding pressure to an already big game with big consequences and still going out and enjoying your game.”
“For my nerves’ sake, I hope it won’t be tight. But that’s what play-off rugby is all about. It comes down to what happens on the day, and everybody knows that. You don’t have to score four tries, and there’s a little bit more pressure on, and mistakes tend to cost you.”
He praised the Irish province as a world-class unit loaded with experienced internationals who travel exceptionally well and possess proven playoff pedigree.
“Munster have proven over the years that they’re a quality team and they’ve shown that they can travel well, but hopefully we can put in a performance that’ll be good enough.
Ackermann reminded his squad that rugby does not define their entire lives, a philosophical approach he uses to keep his star players calm and grounded.
“I’ve told the players that their identity can’t be in rugby alone. There’s a bigger picture in life than that, and rugby can’t define you. So we’re not going to add pressure. We know what we’re playing for, and ultimately it’s on the day, 80 minutes, and we can only control our mindset and our plan.”