Vodacom Bulls' coach Johan Ackermann has emphasised the need for his team to ”raise their game” and not be “sof” against the defending Investec Champions Cup champions, Union Bordeaux Bègles.
“You have to give credit where credit is due; they’re a world-class team. They pulled themselves up from Division 3, worked their way into the Top 14, and deservedly won the Champions Cup last season. They now deliver a lot of players to the French national side. They’ll come with confidence and experience.
“If we’re soft like last week, we’ll get exposed. If you analyse Bordeaux, they score all over the field and off every phase. They’re a well-balanced side, they score off set pieces, counter-attack, turnovers, lineout, everything. They’ve got X-factor players across the park.”
Following a disappointing home loss to the Lions in the URC, Ackermann has demanded higher intensity and accuracy from his squad.
“We were obviously disappointed in last week’s performance. For 80 minutes, we had so many opportunities, but we just didn’t execute. If you don’t take your opportunities, you’re probably not going to be on the winning side.”
Ackermann welcomed the reinforcements, even if they hadn’t had much time back in the system.
“Yeah, it’s great to have those guys back in the mix and available. They haven’t been with us as long as we would’ve liked, but they bring a lot of experience, and it’s good to see them slotting in.”
Ackermann said the inclusion of Marcell Coetzee and Ruan Nortjé gives the Bulls invaluable leadership, which was missing against the Lions.
“Marcell has led this team for years and brings a lot of experience. And having Ruan available on the bench gives us the luxury that, if we want to take off either Reinhardt [Ludwig] or Marcell, we know Ruan will be on the field. That’s the main reason, experience.”
“We looked at the minutes they played, including the travelling, and felt that from a management point of view, we should let the guys who have played together locally start and test themselves against world-class opposition,” Ackermann explained the number of Springboks named as replacements.
“We also wanted the returning Boks to spend time with their families. Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp were away for eight weeks, three with the Bulls tour, then five weeks in Europe. So it was important to get the balance right between training load and family time.”
