Johan Ackermann rues fine margins after Bulls fall short in URC derby in Cape Town

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann admitted the pain was still raw after his side’s narrow 13–8 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday, a match that once again slipped away despite a brave effort.

The Pretoria side, currently on a six-game losing streak, was right in the contest until the end, but a combination of individual errors, missed chances, and a powerful Stormers maul proved decisive in the United Rugby Championship (URC) north-south derby at the DHL Stadium.

“It’s obviously disappointing at the moment. We’re all emotional, and it hurts to lose like this,” Ackermann said after the match.

The coach felt that small moments and fine margins went against his team, adding to the frustration of coming so close without reward.

“I feel sorry for the players because things just don’t seem to want to turn for us. Even when we win a high ball, the bounce doesn’t go our way. It feels like every little kick goes against us and you don’t get the 50-50 calls either. It’s a tough place to be.

“I really wanted the players to put their hands up, and they did. It wasn’t a fluent game. There were mistakes from both sides, and it boiled down to one or two big decisions,” he added.

The decisive moment came when the Bulls failed to stop a rolling Stormers maul close to their line, allowing the home side to score the match-winning try. Ackermann was quick to credit the opposition for making the most of their opportunities.

He believes the Bulls did enough to win the match and pointed to missed scoring chances that could easily have changed the outcome. A wrong option on the attack by veteran fullback Willie le Roux – who went for a crossfield kick as they searched for a try – also stifled a good attack, ending the game when the ball sailed over the touchline.

“Credit to the Stormers; they finished well. For large parts of the game, we were good and created opportunities. When Sebastian (de Klerk, wing) won that ball at the end, on another day, the pass sticks and we score in the corner.

“Those mistakes are fixable, and that’s why I believe we can turn the season around.”

While the loss adds to a difficult run, the Bulls coach remains confident that improvement will come in URC. They now turn their attention to the Champions Cup, and according to Ackermann, they will field their best team in the upcoming matches.

They’ve lost both matches so far in the European tournament, but can turn things around if they claim victories in the next two. It should see them reach the playoffs, where they will look to challenge for European glory.

Bristol Bears will head to Loftus Versfeld, and it presents the perfect opportunity for the Bulls to turn things around.

“We are going all out for the Champions Cup, with our strongest possible teams in the next two games. If we lose, we know we are out of that one and if we win it, we are in it.”