Ackermann calls for accountability after costly errors vs Ulster in URC tour opener

After a lukewarm display in his United Rugby Championship (URC) debut, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will not be available for the Bulls’ next game against Connacht this weekend.

Head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed that Pollard is heading back to South Africa to support his wife, who is due to give birth soon. That rules him out of the next Irish clash and the third tour match against former champions Glasgow Warriors.E

Pollard, along with the rest of the Springbok reinforcements, failed to make a significant impact against Ulster, who claimed a convincing 28-7 win over their visitors.

Following the defeat, critics were quick to speak out, but Ackermann insisted the team wouldn’t be distracted by outside noise. The focus now shifts to fixing key issues ahead of a tough assignment in Galway. He pointed to missed opportunities and poor ball retention as major reasons for the loss.

The scrum, led by Bok prop Wilco Louw, was one of the few positives, earning several penalties, but the Bulls failed to convert that dominance into points.

“There are a lot of people who will have comments, but I’m not going to focus on any of that,” Ackermann said.

“As long as everybody in the team is doing his job as best he can. I told the players: the reality is that families go through tough times. Show me one family that’s perfect, that doesn’t fight. We’re in this together — there’s no hiding or easy way out.

"Do we like to lose?

"No.

"Do we go out to lose?

"No.

"All we can do is look at ourselves and ensure we fix what needs fixing. We must be accountable. You can’t run away from troubles. You have to face life head-on, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Despite conceding four tries, Ackermann said he was more satisfied with the defensive effort compared to their previous games at Loftus Versfeld. The scores were tied 7-all at halftime, with Ulster only pulling away in a brutal 10-minute spell in the second half, scoring three unanswered tries.

The Bulls had an issue with one of the Ulster scores and the referee’s decision not to review it further — despite captain Johan Grobbelaar’s request — but Ackermann said they still had to take accountability.

“We had 11 entries into their 22 and only converted one,” he said.

“We conceded a lot of turnovers and handling errors. They scored four tries — one was from a kick through, one from a pick-and-go, one a maul, and the other off a cross-field kick. They worked for one, the others were just too soft.

Defensively, we must tighten up, and we have to look after the ball if we want results. We just didn’t play well enough.”