As the Vodacom Bulls gear up for their final Currie Cup showdown against the Cheetahs at Loftus this Saturday, Coach Johan Ackermann is seizing the opportunity to prep his squad for the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season. With the Bulls out of the semi-final race following a series of defeats, including a heavy loss to the Lions, Ackermann is looking to shuffle the deck by introducing players who haven’t yet seen game time this season.
Ackermann, taking the helm from Phiwe Nomlomo for this last domestic game, admitted, "We're going to be introducing players who haven’t been involved yet." The necessity stems partly from an extensive injury list that reads like a who's who of rugby casualties, including Springboks Elrigh Louw, Cameron Hanekom, and Gerhard Steenekamp. "To be honest, the list in red is probably the best team we have at the moment," he quipped, signaling a tough season for the Bulls.
"It’s not ideal, because I would have loved this to feel like a warm-up game [for the URC], but we only have the Cheetahs match left. Now some guys will have to play a full 80 minutes, and it will give us a real indication of where we are."
Despite the setbacks, the game presents a silver lining with opportunities for newcomers like Cheswill Jooste to prove their mettle. "This is a great opportunity to see if they are ready to contribute in the future," Ackermann noted, emphasizing the dual test of player mettle and coaching strategies.
The Bulls' situation contrasts starkly with that of the Cheetahs, who are still in the hunt for a semi-final spot and under considerable pressure to perform. "The Cheetahs are a stable and consistent team, they’ve been together a while and their destiny is in their own hands," Ackermann observed. He added, "They’ve got more pressure than us, but we just need to ensure we get good value out of the game. If that means we win, then unfortunately they fall short, that’s how it boils down."
With the Currie Cup serving as a crucial platform for selection, Ackermann’s clean slate approach means every player has a shot at proving they deserve a spot in the URC squad. "Everyone has the right to wear the jersey, and it’s up to them to prove it," he declared, setting the stage for an intense encounter at Loftus come Saturday.