Coach Johan Ackermann says he will select his strongest possible team for the Vodacom Bulls’ final two Investec Champions Cup pool matches.
Ackermann named a full-strength side for the Bulls’ opening match of the tournament against Bordeaux Bègles at Loftus, and the hosts pushed the defending champions before going down 46-33. He then opted to rest several frontline players for the away clash against the Northampton Saints, a decision that ended in an embarrassing 50-5 defeat.
The Bulls are currently fifth in Pool 4 with just one point, with fixtures against the Bristol Bears at Loftus on Saturday and Pau in France on 16 January still to come. The top four teams in each pool qualify for the round of 16, while the fifth-placed teams drop into the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Speaking after the Bulls’ 13-8 Vodacom URC loss to the Stormers in Cape Town – their sixth consecutive defeat across competitions – Ackermann insisted the next fortnight would be treated with urgency.
“We’re going full out with the strongest possible team for the next two games,” he said. “If we lose, we’re out. If we win, we’re in [the playoffs] – it’s simple.
“This next block is about getting everyone on the same page, building cohesion and turning our season around.”
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However, the challenge ahead is significant.
Bristol beat the Sale Sharks 19-17 over the weekend to climb to fourth on the English Premiership log after nine rounds. The Bears are unbeaten in the Champions Cup, having edged the Scarlets 17-16 in Llanelli before thrashing a weakened Pau side 61-12 at Ashton Gate.
Pau, meanwhile, sit second on the Top 14 standings after 14 rounds.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/INPHO
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