Bulls coach Johan Ackermann is pleased with his teams’ response to their disappointing defeat to the Stormers, but says their big defeat of Cardiff is only the start of the hard work to come.
The Bulls harvested five log points from their 40-7 victory over a Cardiff side that was in fifth place, but they have stayed in eighth place in the United Rugby Championship because the Top 8 is so congested with teams fighting for their play-off lives. This reinforces the importance of the outcome of the SA derby between the Bulls and Stormers, and the lost opportunity it represented for the Pretoria teams, who lost 32-19.
At Loftus Versfeld on Friday night, the Bulls rediscovered their urgency and scored five superb first-half tries against a Cardiff side that has the reputation of having one of the best defences in the URC.
“First of all, we’re happy and grateful to be on the right side of the result,” Ackermann said.
“I could feel it in the warm-up — the boys were really focused, and there was good energy. We started okay, then they scored first, but I thought we responded well. We played well in the first half, although there were still missed chances.”
Next up for the Bulls is a visit from Munster. The Irishmen will be smarting from their heavy defeat in Durban, where they could not score a point, going down 45-0 to the Sharks.
“Every game is important,” Ackermann said.
“We’re just unfortunately in that situation now. We will fight to stay in the Top 8 with every game. If we don’t get the result, we’ll put ourselves in jeopardy.
“If we get it, we stay in touch. So every game is vital. If Munster win, they go up. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter. We just have to keep winning.”
The Player of the Match at Loftus on Friday night was scrum-half Embrose Papier. He celebrated his return from paternity leave with a sharp performance.
“We knew if we could get a bit of space and up the tempo, they would struggle with the travel and the altitude. And Embrose is so dangerous in that space. He showed his speed and his class.
“He also made an important turnover when he contested a breakdown. His kicking was good, too. He had an excellent game, and it’s good to have him back.”
Ackermann will be targeting another five-point haul in Saturday’s early game against Munster (2pm).
“We have no room for error. We have to keep our feet on the ground and grind out wins every week.”
