After the Vodacom Bulls' 50-5 Investec Champions Cup loss to the Northampton Saints on Sunday, coach Johan Ackermann cut a despondent figure, calling the defeat "disappointing".
Ackermann highlighted the “disappointing” nature of the second-half performance, where the team conceded eight tries in total. He felt that the team was simply "outclassed, especially in the second half.”
“Last week we led 33-22, but then we picked up two yellow cards, started to lose lineouts, lost possession in contact, and conceded penalties. Today it was very much the same.”
“At 14-5 at half-time, we certainly had opportunities in the first half that we didn’t use. In the second half, we just couldn’t get out of our half. We again started conceding penalties, not kicking for touch, losing lineouts, and then conceding another yellow card. Saints used every opportunity they were given.”
He admitted their defensive record this season is “not good enough” and has been a major point of concern for the coaching staff. Giving “constant entries into your 22” to top teams inevitably leads to tries, he explained.
Despite the heavy loss, Ackermann defended his players' efforts, stating, “No one goes out there to make a mistake.” He noted that quality players were making uncharacteristic errors, which points to a need to go "back to basics."
“I don’t think people go to work to make mistakes, but it happens.”
“My faith is in God, and that’s where my identity lies. I can keep my faith, keep working with the players I have, keep faith in them, and support them where I can. Hopefully, we’ll be able to work our way out of this hole.”
The coach mentioned that the team's woes were compounded by several players, including fly-half Kade Wolhuter, nursing injuries, further challenging their squad depth.
“When Wolhuter ran back to field a ball, he hurt his knee again. He’s on crutches at the moment, and I’m not yet 100% sure how bad the injury is. It might just be a precaution for now, to prevent him from putting too much weight on that knee.”
“We’ll get a clearer picture of his availability and when he can play again once we’re back in Pretoria. But just looking at it, it seems unlikely that he’ll be available for selection next week.”
With the team constantly being reshuffled, Ackermann mentioned that achieving consistency in the lineup is difficult, which impacts cohesion and timing on the field. He emphasised the need for internal communication and improvement rather than “pointing fingers.”