Bulls' Ackermann focused on performance, not permutations in Champions Cup clash with Pau

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says his team is not wasting time calculating Champions Cup permutations, choosing instead to focus their energy on improving “minute by minute” in Friday night’s clash against Pau.

The Bulls are currently enduring one of the worst slumps in their storied history, having lost seven games on the trot. They sit at the bottom of Pool 4, while their opponents, Pau, are fourth in the group and fly high in second place in the French Top 14.

Mathematically, the Bulls could still slip into the Round of 16 with a victory at the Stade du Hameau, provided other results—specifically the Scarlets’ trip to Northampton on Sunday—go their way. However, qualification remains a distant prospect unless they can refine a game plan that has looked haphazard in recent weeks.

“We haven’t spoken about scenarios or permutations,” Ackermann said from France on Thursday. “The general talk is that we need to start playing for 80 minutes and live up to our standards, our values, and our accountability to the jersey, our supporters, and our sponsors.”

Ackermann stressed that his side must ignore the external pressure of their losing streak and embrace the necessity of a vastly improved performance.

“We’re not blind to the pressure—of course it’s there,” he admitted. “But if you focus on what might happen if you win, you lose sight of the things you can control. We want to take this game minute by minute, from the kick-off.”

Ever the gentleman, Ackermann refused to cast blame on his squad for the recent run of results. “I can’t fault the players for their energy or their willingness to work,” he said. “Even this week in Pau, the field was muddy and slippery, but the boys worked hard. We’re not far off—sometimes things just need to go your way.

“We’re scoring enough points, but we’re conceding more than we score. If we can get that sorted and stay on top of our attack, hopefully that moment we’re waiting for is around the corner.”

The coach hinted that the trip to France has provided a welcome reprieve from the growing frustration among fans in Pretoria. Following the Pau fixture, the Bulls travel to the Scottish capital to face Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

“When you’re away, you get more time together off the field—breakfasts, dinners, sitting and talking,” Ackermann noted. “There’s no one rushing home. Hopefully, that connection spills over onto the field.”

Ackermann has made 11 changes to the side that lost to Bristol, including the return of Springbok stars Kurt-Lee Arendse and Willie le Roux. He has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench to combat a physical French pack. Notably, Marco van Staden is named as hooker cover, with Akker van der Merwe handed a start while Johan Grobbelaar is rested.

“Akker can do with a big block of playing time. If he plays most of the match, Marco gives us an option at flank,” Ackermann explained. “We also have Jan-Hendrik Wessels as an option at hooker. Pau play a lot with their forwards and kick to turn you around. Having six forwards on the bench gives us physicality later in the match.”

Bulls team for Pau

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (c), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.

Bench: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 David Kriel, 23 Jeandre Rudolph