Johan Ackermann is taking no prisoners. The Bulls have touched down in the UK with 14 Springboks, including Embrose Papier, in tow for their Champions Cup Round of 16 showdown with Glasgow. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
In the aftermath of the Bulls' defeat of Munster on Saturday, coach Johan Ackermann turned one eye toward this week’s visit to Glasgow and promised his team will give it a full go in the Champions Cup fixture against the Warriors.
The straight-as-an-arrow Ackermann doesn’t deal in hollow words and backed up his Saturday promise with a Monday announcement of a tour squad containing his very best players, including 14 Springboks, for the Champions Cup Round of 16 match on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm).
Of course, if the result goes the way of the Bulls at Scotstoun, they could end up staying in the UK for close to a month, as their next two United Rugby Championship (URC) matches are in Wales against the Dragons and the Scarlets. They conclude their URC campaign with home matches against Zebre and Benetton.
Ackermann’s 33-man squad is vastly experienced, with almost a full 15 of Springboks; plus, there is the energy of rising stars such as Cheswill Jooste and Reinhardt Ludwig. There is also the blistering form of former Springbok scrumhalf Embrose Papier. The 28-year-old last played for the Boks in 2018 but is making a powerful case for a recall.
The challenge facing the Bulls could hardly be sterner. The Warriors are in first place on the URC log and in excellent form; last week they overcame a Benetton team packed with Italian internationals, and the week before they beat Leinster. Finally, the Warriors have home-ground advantage against a Bulls team travelling from another hemisphere.
The cards seem stacked heavily in favour of the Scotsmen, but the Bulls are a curious team in that some of their best results this season have been overseas, and some of their shock reverses have been in Pretoria.
The Bulls enjoy being on the road, and it was in France that they suddenly ended their dismal run of seven defeats when they shocked Pau 26–24 in a Champions Cup game. That win saved their campaign and is why they are headed to Glasgow for a play-off.
Significantly, the Bulls last year beat the Warriors at Scotstoun in a URC game. Ackermann knows what buttons to press with his players, especially when they are written off, so do not be surprised if the Bulls do something special in Glasgow.
Props: Gerhard Steenekamp, Alulutho Tshakweni, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Mornay Smith, Francois Klopper, Khuta Mchunu
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar, Marco van Staden
Locks: Ruan Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje, Reinhardt Ludwig, JF van Heerden
Loose forwards: Marcell Coetzee, Jeandre Rudolph, Elrigh Louw, Mpilo Gumede, Cameron Hanekom
Scrumhalves: Embrose Papier, Paul de Wet, Zak Burger
Flyhalves: Handre Pollard, Keagan Johannes
Wings: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sergeal Petersen, Cheswill Jooste
Centres: Harold Vorster, Stedman Gans, David Kriel
Utility Backs/Fullbacks: Canan Moodie, Katlego Letebele, Devon Williams, Willie le Roux
Unavailable: Akker van der Merwe, Nizaam Carr, Wilco Louw, Sebastian de Klerk.