As the Vodacom Bulls gear up for their Investec Champions Cup last-16 showdown against the Glasgow Warriors this Saturday, they're facing more than just their opponents. Coach Johan Ackermann has highlighted the unpredictable Scottish weather and the peculiarities of the 4G pitch at Scotstoun Stadium as additional hurdles his team must overcome.
After a fluctuating week of weather during training sessions, Ackermann expressed his concerns about the looming conditions for the game.
"Yesterday we trained in rain and it was cold. Today we had the perfect day, no clouds and the sun was shining although there was a little bit of a chill in the air, but a beautiful day compared to yesterday. But according to our information, everything is going to change for the weekend. It’s going to rain again. So it’s a bit of an unknown factor exactly what the conditions are going to be like on Saturday at 5.30pm when we kick off."
The synthetic surface of the pitch also poses unique challenges. "We’ve trained on it this week and most of the players have experienced it before," Ackermann noted. "But it is different. The ball bounces differently, it rolls more, and at the breakdown you have to look after possession better."
These factors contribute to a faster game tempo, something the Bulls have had to swiftly adapt to. "It’s definitely faster. The ball moves quicker, players move quicker, and the scrums feel different compared to grass. Those are all things you have to adapt to quickly," added Ackermann.
Logistics for the post-match also weigh heavily on the team, with potential travels either to Toulon or back to South Africa, depending on the game's outcome. This adds another layer of complexity to their schedule. Ackermann confirmed, "We will go to France and then stay there for a few days, because otherwise we have to stay in Wales for three weeks. For the players, obviously it’s already a big challenge to be away from home for a month." If the Bulls don't advance in the Champions Cup, the brief stint in France will serve as a mental refreshment before resuming the Vodacom URC.
The Bulls face a tight schedule with upcoming games against the Dragons and the Scarlets, making every decision and adaptation crucial as they navigate through this intense period of competition.
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As the Vodacom Bulls gear up for their Investec Champions Cup last-16 showdown against the Glasgow Warriors this Saturday, they're facing more than just their opponents. Coach Johan Ackermann has highlighted the unpredictable Scottish weather and the peculiarities of the 4G pitch at Scotstoun Stadium as additional hurdles his team must overcome.
After a fluctuating week of weather during training sessions, Ackermann expressed his concerns about the looming conditions for the game.
"Yesterday we trained in rain and it was cold. Today we had the perfect day, no clouds and the sun was shining although there was a little bit of a chill in the air, but a beautiful day compared to yesterday. But according to our information, everything is going to change for the weekend. It’s going to rain again. So it’s a bit of an unknown factor exactly what the conditions are going to be like on Saturday at 5.30pm when we kick off."
The synthetic surface of the pitch also poses unique challenges. "We’ve trained on it this week and most of the players have experienced it before," Ackermann noted. "But it is different. The ball bounces differently, it rolls more, and at the breakdown you have to look after possession better."These factors contribute to a faster game tempo, something the Bulls have had to swiftly adapt to. "It’s definitely faster. The ball moves quicker, players move quicker, and the scrums feel different compared to grass. Those are all things you have to adapt to quickly," added Ackermann.
Logistics for the post-match also weigh heavily on the team, with potential travels either to Toulon or back to South Africa, depending on the game's outcome. This adds another layer of complexity to their schedule. Ackermann confirmed, "We will go to France and then stay there for a few days, because otherwise we have to stay in Wales for three weeks. For the players, obviously it’s already a big challenge to be away from home for a month." If the Bulls don't advance in the Champions Cup, the brief stint in France will serve as a mental refreshment before resuming the Vodacom URC.
The Bulls face a tight schedule with upcoming games against the Dragons and the Scarlets, making every decision and adaptation crucial as they navigate through this intense period of competition.