The Bulls are on the cusp of securing a home United Rugby Championship quarter-final, but coach Johan Ackermann is cautious ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash against Benetton at Loftus Versfeld. A win for the fourth-placed Bulls will guarantee a top-four finish, but Ackermann is not taking anything for granted.
“We are not across the line yet,” Ackermann said. “The carrot is there for a home playoff, so we must win. That’s where our energy has been all week. We are not worried about who we may or may not get in the quarter-finals. The reality is that if you want to go far in this competition, you must be able to beat any team.”
Controlling the Controllables
Ackermann has been drilling into his team the importance of controlling what they can control – their attitude, mindset, and performance on the day. The Bulls will have taken note of how the Sharks dominated Benetton last week, and will look to replicate that performance.
According to the South African Rugby Union, the Bulls have a strong chance of finishing in the top four, but nothing is certain yet. The team will need to be at their best to overcome a Benetton side that has quality players and nothing to lose.
Injury Concerns
The Bulls have been dealt a blow with the loss of Springboks Marcell Coetzee and Kurt-Lee Arendse to illness. “Unfortunately, Marcel and Kurt-Lee have the flu,” Ackermann explained. “They are still under the weather, so that’s why there are changes with Jeandré Rudolph coming in at six and Devon Williams starting on the wing.”
David Kriel has also undergone surgery on an Achilles tendon and will be out for a couple of months, ending his Bulls career. Cheswill Jooste is also out with a hamstring injury, but Ackermann is hopeful that he will recover quickly.
- Fourth-placed Bulls need a win to guarantee a home quarter-final
- Benetton have quality players and nothing to lose
- Injuries to Coetzee, Arendse, Kriel, and Jooste will test the Bulls’ depth
The Bulls will need to be at their best to overcome Benetton and secure a home quarter-final. With the United Rugby Championship reaching its climax, every point counts, and the Bulls will be looking to finish the season on a high note.
