Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann is looking to get his team back on track after five straight losses. Picture: Steve Haag Sports/Gallo Images Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has explained his selections and omissions for the team’s URC derby against the Stormers on Saturday afternoon, as well as his decision to part ways with assistant coaches from Jake White’s regime, replacing one but not the other. Ackermann said he named his“best possible team”for the north-south derby in Cape Town (kick-off 6pm) though top players Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cameron Hanekom and Marcell Coetzee are missing out.
The first two are recovering from injuries, with Arendse undergoing a lengthy head-impact assessment protocol and Hanekom sidelined by a hamstring issue. Coetzee has recently returned from a rib injury, but the Bulls coach said Nizaam Carr’s versatility and Jeandré Rudolph’s form had earned them selection until Coetzee was back to full strength. “I’m not 100% certain of the reason for the delay because it is a bit technical.
Then it’s ongoing with Cameron’s hamstring rehab.” He said he still felt the team he picked would be strong enough to beat the “best side in the competition”, having 10 Springboks in the starting XV. The Stormersare in excellent form, having won all nine of their matches so far across all competitions. The Bulls, meanwhile, are on a five-game losing streak and have reached out to SA Rugby forassistance in trainingafter the derby.
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Ackermann also explained his dismissal of Chris Rossouw, replacing him with former Lions backline coachNeil de Bruin, and his dismissal of Andries Bekker, who would not be replaced. “It wasn’t an easy decision because I believe we have to be able to work with each other, but rugby is a funny game and you feel like you just connect with someone more than someone else. That was it.
And it was a decision from my side. “Andries Bekker has done a great job but it’s the first time ever I’ve had a forwards coach and it was tough for me not to get my hands dirty. “Although you reflect afterwards as coaches, you are not giving the message yourself. I just wanted to go back to my old roots, where I coached daily and was involved with the facets of the game.”
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