Ackermann rings the changes as new-look Bulls prepare for crucial Connacht clash

The Bulls had a frustrating review of their defeat to Ulster, looking at the chances they missed, but they are approaching their duel with Connacht refreshed and with a much-changed squad to turn around their fortunes on tour.

Head coach Johan Ackermann announced a much-rotated team, showing 11 changes, including a position switch, for the duel in Galway – a notorious graveyard for South African touring sides in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Despite making wholesale changes, Ackermann believes they can get back to winning ways at the Dexcom Stadium (8.45pm start) with the side he selected.

Most notably, the Bulls will play with a new captain in the No 5 jersey in Reinhardt Ludwig, while they also show changed combinations in the midfield, at halfback, a new-look loose trio and hooker and at loosehead prop.

“Reinhardt has shown he is a good leader, and although he is young, he has the respect of the side,” Ackermann said.

“I also like it when the captain is close to the referee, having those small conversations and asking him a question when there is a break or scrum setup or kick to touch. It is difficult when it is someone out wide.

“The changes are also not purely rotational; we also looked at how we wanted to play against Connacht. We know JJ (Theron, blindside flanker) is a good lineout jumper and Jeandré (Rudolph, eighthman) and Nama (Xaba, six-flank) are hard-workers, and they play to the ground.”

Ackermann also added that he wanted to reward players who have been training well, and that includes guys like loosehead prop Alulutho Tshakweni.  At the same time, it gives others like No 1 Gerhard Steenekamp and hooker Johan Grobbelaar a chance to rest their bodies from starting on 4G pitches in consecutive games.

They haven’t had a proper rest since traveling from Belfast to Galway, while their preparations were done on a grass field and not on a 4G pitch ahead of the duel.

Bok flank Marco van Staden suffered a knee injury and was omitted from the squad. He would’ve been able to play, but Ackermann confirmed he will head back home with the experienced Marcell Coetzee joining the team ahead of the trip to Glasgow.

According to the coach, his team is not where they want to be, especially in terms of combinations.

“As a coaching staff, we are still learning about each other and how we feed off each other. It takes time with any partnership or relationship, even with the players. The reality is that habits don’t change overnight.

“To get to a style that we want to play, without a proper pre-season together, it will take time. It is difficult in a competition because the pressure comes from everywhere. We are far from where we want to be.

“You have to be patient, because you don’t want to force things; otherwise, you can confuse the players. You want them to be confident in what they do out on the field.”

Bulls starting XV

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 David Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Sebastian de Klerk, 10 Keagan Johannes, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 JJ Theron, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig (captain), 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 1 Alulutho Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Harold Vorster, 23 Stravino Jacobs.