'Another opportunity': Ackermann challenges Bosch to fill Pollard void
REACTION: Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has described flyhalf Curwin Bosch as ‘one of the best kickers’ and backs him to lead the team forward in Handré Pollard’s absence.
Bosch will make only his fourth start of the season when the Bulls host the Scarlets in Round Five of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
The 29-year-old, who looks more mature and composed, is still searching for consistent form since returning to South Africa from France.
He started against Zebre Parma in the season opener and faced Munster and the Lions before coming off the bench against Ulster a week ago.
Saturday’s clash presents Bosch with an opportunity to stamp his authority following Pollard’s hamstring injury.
Pollard had a 100% kicking rate before the injury, and filling his kicking boots will be no easy feat.
However, Ackermann has tipped Bosch to rise to the occasion.
“We are really pleased with Curwin’s performances so far this season,” he said.
“This is another opportunity for him. To be fair, I think there must be competition every week, and nobody must say they’re number one and that they’ve got the jersey.
“The jersey must be earned. If Curwin plays well, that will obviously put pressure on Handré to perform. That’s the luxury we’ve got this season that we didn’t have last season: that healthy competition in that 10 position.”
#TeamAnnouncement: Curwin takes the reins as Bulls ring the changes 👇#URC #Bulls #Scarlets #BULvSCA https://t.co/kS1Kgg1V1p
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Bosch’s attacking game has improved significantly since joining the Pretoria-based outfit, although his defence and goal-kicking have let him down at times.
He has been working with specialist kicking coach Vlok Cilliers, and Ackermann believes the extra work is starting to pay off.
“If you watch him at training, I’ve never seen a guy kick a ball like Curwin so easily.
“He doesn’t even make it look hard, and he can kick the ball from 22 to 22 and kick it all over from the poles. From a timing perspective, he’s one of the best kickers.”
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Besides the flyhalf forced change, Ackermann has made 12 other changes to his matchday squad.
The Bulls will field a new front row and an exciting back three, featuring Dylan Maart, who will make his first start in Blue.
The rotation and resting of players highlights the squad depth Ackermann has repeatedly emphasised.
“We’re in good stead,” he remarked.
“We want the players to be coachable and adaptable. If we make changes, they must give us that confidence that the standard will be there.
“The players give us the confidence to rotate, and that’s how we feel we’re going to get through the season. If we win, people will say ‘great’; if we lose, people will start looking for a ‘why’.
“We’re confident this team can perform regardless of the changes.”
Ackermann also stressed the importance of being at their best against an unpredictable Scarlets side.
The Welsh outfit came close to causing an upset against the Stormers last week, eventually losing 40-52.
“We’ve always known they are going to be a tough nut because last year we won against them in the dying seconds with a penalty kick.
“They were always in the fight, and we saw it again on Saturday. It was 40-all, and it was close.
“If you look at the comments they made afterwards, they said they think they’re finding themselves now, how they want to play with high intensity and ball in play, and that’s what we expect. It’s going to be a big challenge for us, and we must be at our best.”
Ackermann further confirmed that Pollard, Sango Xamlashe, and Cheswill Jooste are recovering well from knocks sustained against Ulster. All three are expected to return after the Nations Championship break.
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