Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann said that due to the lack of credible opponents for the United Rugby Championship, their Currie Cup clash against the Cheetahs at Loftus on Saturday at 19:00 (SA Time) is “a great rehearsal for what lies ahead”.
“It’s the first game where I will see the things we’re trying to implement and the character of the guys in the squad,” he explained. “It’s also about how we as coaches and staff deal with certain scenarios. It’s a great rehearsal for what lies ahead.”
“We’re going to be introducing players who haven’t been involved yet. It’s not ideal, because I would have loved this to feel like a URC warm-up game, but we only have the Cheetahs match left. Now some guys will have to play a full 80 minutes, and it will give us a real indication of where we are.”
The Bulls’ long injury list is well known, Ackerman said. “To be honest, the list in red is probably the best team we have at the moment. But it has opened the door for young guys like Cheswill Jooste. This is a great opportunity to see if they are ready to contribute in the future.”
“If you start just with Springboks, you have Gerhard Steenekamp, Erich Louw, and Cameron Hanekom. Those are world-class players. There are a couple of senior players, and then there are a couple of juniors as well.”
“Aphiwe just this week suffered a broken cheekbone, which will require surgery. Chris Barend Smit has a groin injury, which rules him out, and Cornel Smit is out with a hamstring.”
“We aren’t hiding behind it. If we select the list of injured players who are on the verge of the United Rugby Championship setup, it is a big list.”
Ackermann said that the injuries gave management opportunities to assess players like Cheswill, JJ, Abri and many more.
“Ultimately, they have to become senior players. Some of them are in their last year of being U21, and some are U20 who can enjoy one more year as U21 players. But those guys who are U21, we’ll have to decide whether they are for the future, which is a great opportunity for them.”
Ackerman stressed that the door to URC selection is not closed for any player at this stage.
“Age and experience are important, but I’m here with a clean slate. Everyone has the right to wear the jersey, and it’s up to them to prove it.”
