Bulls coach Johan Ackermann reacted to a clinical seven-try performance against the Sharks with pride as his side moved into the Top 8 of the URC. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Bulls coach Johan Ackermann praised his team for the composure they showed in handing the Sharks a comprehensive 41-12 defeat in Pretoria on Saturday evening in a United Rugby Championship clash.
The Bulls were exceptional in cashing in on their scoring opportunities — they scored seven excellent tries. And each time the visitors threatened a fight back, the Bulls would score tries in quick succession.
“We exited really well every time the Sharks came at us,” Ackermann said.
“When it went 22-5, 22-12, and it looked like they might get the next score and make a game of it, we showed composure. We exited well, and when we got the opportunity to score, we scored and took the momentum away from them.
“If you think back to earlier games, we had leads, and once the opposition got momentum, we let it roll over us. So, we showed a lot of composure.”
Ackermann was grateful that the match took place after a heavy downpour and lightning, which delayed the kick-off by 15 minutes.
“It’s always challenging when there are weather disruptions, but it obviously is for both teams,” he said.
“When we saw the lightning and the rain, we thought the delay might be longer. Once they confirmed it was only going to be 15 minutes, we just adjusted our routine. The players waited, then we followed the same warm-up process.
“We thought it might rain during the game and that we’d have to adapt tactically, but once it cleared up, we stuck to what we wanted to do. There were one or two small adjustments, but not much.”
The Bulls produced arguably their most polished performance of the season, with the error count negligible.
“I felt the players worked really hard on reducing those errors,” Ackermann said. “Even though it rained, it dried up enough for us to play the game we wanted to play, and the guys kept mistakes to a minimum.”
The five-point victory elevates the Bulls into the top eight — they are seventh — and their next match is a home derby against the Stormers on 14 March.
The Bulls will be confident they can avenge the narrow loss to the Stormers in Cape Town in the first round, but Ackermann said they will not get carried away.
“You must cherish a win and be grateful, and tomorrow you’ll wake up with a smile,” he said. “But success is written in ice — tomorrow the sun shines again.
“It gives us confidence and belief, but the next game brings different challenges, and you have to do everything all over again.
“We haven’t achieved anything, to be honest. A good win is only as good as where your season finishes. We just have to knuckle down and keep fighting.”