VIDEO: Ackermann plans 'two-pronged' onslaught in Europe
The Bulls turn their attention to Europe, as they desperately look to end a six-match losing streak.
The biggest attendance of the United Rugby Championship season rhapsodised in wild abandonment as the table-topping Stormers stayed unbeaten – 10 wins from 10 in all competitions – edging a titanic tussle with the Bulls 13-8 in a brutal South African derby.
The Stormers left it late in front of a Cape Town capacity crowd of 53,862, but once again found a way, with replacement prop Ntuthuko Mchunu claiming the match-winning score off a line-out drive 90 seconds from time.
It left Bulls coach Johann Ackermann with seven defeats in 10 starts since he took over at the start of the season.
The trouble started with a URC to Glasgow in late October, where the Warriors beat the Bulls 21-12.
That was followed by a home loss to the Lions, 33-43.
Two Champions Cup losses – 33-46 to Union Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus Versfeld and a 5-50 rout at the hands of the Saints in Northampton Saints had the alarm bells ringing.
The Christmas derby season saw two more defeats – 12-21 to the Sharks in Durban and the heartbreaker (8-13) to the Stormers in Cape Town at the weekend.
The focus switches to Europe and the Champions Cup again with the Bulls hosting Bristol Bears at Loftus this coming Saturday, before a trip to Pau’s Stade du Hameau and a face-off with Section Paloise six days later.
With just a solitary four-try bonus point, they are currently fifth on the Pool Four standings, behind Northampton Saints (10 points), Union Bordeaux Bègles (10), Bristol Bears (nine) and Scarlets (one).
Ackermann did not hide his disappointment with the loss in Cape Town and said it was an ’emotional’ post-match dressing room.
“It is a tough place at the moment,” he said of his team’s six-match losing streak.
He added that his players showed fight and character in a face-off of Test-match intensity, with small margins and some ’50-fifty calls’ that did not go their way.
The Bulls coach said they are determined and confident that they can turn around their season and be in the running for the play-offs in both the URC and Champions Cup.
“It is not a game of individuals,” he said, adding: “Someone might have a brilliant moment, but it is up to every player to perform.
“We were good [competitive] for much of the game, with many opportunities.
“There are a lot of positives.
“If we can replicate this [intensity] and fix some errors, we can turn our season around.”
He admitted that ‘pundits’ outside of the team will start doubting the Bulls, but they will keep on working to get their season back on track.
(WATCH as a bitterly disappointed Bulls coach Johan Ackermann explains his plans to end his team’s six-match losing streak…..)
“I can’t change anything, other than believing in the team.”
He said they will be going ‘full-out’ for the next two European matches to reach the top-tier competition’s play-offs.
“We will be as strong as possible for the next two games,” the coach said.
“If we lose, we are out of the running in that one [Champions Cup] and if we win, we are in it [the race for the play-offs].”
Given that this past weekend was the first time he had all his Springboks at his disposal, the performance against the Stormers is an indication that there is hope for the men from Pretoria.
“Hopefully, this is the start of getting that unity back.
“We must use the next two games to get everybody on the right track.
“This next block is part of getting everybody on the same page.”
Bulls skipper Ruan Nortje said: “Both teams were in it the full 80 minutes and, although there wasn’t a lot of running rugby, I think it was an exciting game.
“All credit to the Stormers, for finishing in the 78th minute.
“That’s why they are top of the log. When they get the opportunities, they finish. We had our opportunities to win the game and just couldn’t execute.”
It was a sixth straight defeat for the Bulls in all competitions, and they are down in 11th in the URC table.
But second row Nortje remains positive, saying: “There’s a lot of belief in this team. We were in this position a few years ago, so I know we will get ourselves out of it.”
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