Johan Ackermann era at Loftus begins with a win but Bulls leak 40 points in URC opener

The Bulls’ United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign under new coach Johan Ackermann began on a mixed note, as they battled to a 53-40 win over the Ospreys despite a disjointed display at Loftus Versfeld.

Defensive frailties, particularly in the backline, and communication breakdowns between players allowed the Welsh side far too much space, keeping the contest closer than expected. While the Pretoria outfit ultimately crossed for nine tries and secured a vital opening victory, the performance left plenty to work on ahead of tougher challenges later in the season.

Debutant Cheswill Jooste provided a turning point shortly after the 50-minute mark when he sliced through a gap from his opposite wing to put the Bulls ahead for the first time in the match.

The young winger ran a superb line onto a perfectly timed delayed pass from flyhalf Keagan Johannes. Moments earlier, Jooste had sparked the move with a blistering run down the touchline, beating one defender before being ankle-tapped before he could get the ball to a teammate.

The Bulls had played most of the first half on the back foot, allowing the Ospreys to score four tries, many of which came from poor tackling in the backline. The Welsh visitors stretched the Bulls wide and raced into an early 12-0 lead, exposing defensive gaps with ease. At one stage the scoreboard read 26-12, despite two crucial tries from captain Marcell Coetzee that kept his side within touching distance.

After the Coetzee double, the Bulls’ recovery gathered momentum. They turned to their traditional strength, keeping the ball tight among the forwards, where they dominated collisions and gained territory. The contrast was stark: whenever the Bulls relied on forward play, metres and points followed. Questions will be asked why this approach was not adopted earlier, given how comfortably the Ospreys controlled the wider channels.

The set-pieces and rolling mauls became decisive. Hooker Johan Grobbelaar finished with a hat-trick of tries, each the product of well-executed mauls and forward power. With ascendancy up front, the game opened up as the Ospreys tired, conceding repeated penalties under pressure.

The Bulls’ backline began to enjoy more freedom in the second half. Returning centre Jan Serfontein marked his return with a try from a well-timed supporting run.

Replacement hooker Juann Else also crossed, while Jooste capped his dream afternoon with a second score, this time finishing off a sweeping move created by veteran Willie le Roux, who slotted in seamlessly at flyhalf after coming off the bench.

Despite being outmuscled in the final quarter, the Ospreys kept fighting and had the last word when winger Keelan Giles bagged his second try. Centre Keiran Williams also scored twice, adding to the Welsh side’s tally of six tries and securing a valuable bonus point from the defeat.

For Ackermann, the result was a welcome first win in charge, but the 40 points conceded will be a concern. The Ospreys repeatedly cut through the Bulls’ defensive line and exposed vulnerabilities that stronger opponents are sure to target.

The Loftus side now turn their attention to Leinster, who are yet to register points in the competition after their defeat to the Stormers. With memories of last season’s final still fresh, the Pretoria side will look to tighten up their defence and carry the momentum from their attacking display into another heavyweight clash on Saturday.

Points scorers

Bulls 53 (19) - Tries: Marcell Coetzee (2), Johan Grobbelaar (3), Cheswill Jooste (2), Jan Serfontein, Juann Else. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (4).

Ospreys 40 (26) - Tries: Keelan Giles (2), Keiran Williams (2), Jack Walsh, Morgan Morse. Conversions: Dan Edwards (5).