Ackers hails injection of ‘brilliant’ new recruits

Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann believes his new signings will make an impact against the All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, writes MORNÉ ESBEN.

Flyhalf Curwin Bosch, loose forward Hanro Liebenberg, wing Thaakir Abrahams and utility back Hakeem Kunene have all been included in Ackermann’s match 23.

Ackermann says he’s been encouraged by the integration of the new signings, praising the experience they have brought into the squad.

“Brilliant! All four of them have been amazing. They’ve settled in with the team, they’ve contributed and you can see they’ve been around the block,” he said.

“They’re easy to coach and bring a lot of experience into our camp, culture and character so I’m looking forward to see how they’re going to play, but also gel with the team during the season.”

BOSCH: My best is good enough for Boks

Like all the other South African URC clubs, Ackermann has had to make do without a host of Springboks but is still able to call on seasoned veterans in captain Marcell Coetzee, Willie le Roux and Embrose Papier.

However, Ackermann lamented the unavailability of some of his X-factor players like Junior Springbok Cheswill Jooste, who he feels would’ve been perfect for this clash.

“Cheswill came back from the Junior World Championship and we gave him two weeks off to recover. Then he only had two weeks in which to prepare – of which one he was very sick. So when he returned on Monday, I spoke to the medical team and the feeling was not to risk him because he hadn’t done any speed and contact work in three weeks.”

COETZEE: Bulls have to be clinical

The Bulls coach has enormous respect for the challenge posed by the All Blacks under Dave Rennie.

Ackermann expects New Zealand to bring a relentless tempo to Loftus, something he admits his team would normally require a full pre-season to handle.

“We know how the All Blacks play. I know Dave Rennie well. All his teams play at a very high tempo and they want to speed everything up,” he said.

“Lineouts, scrums, they keep the ball alive so to play at that tempo is something I enjoy and it’s something we strive towards. But to be able to do that, you would need to have a really good pre-season.

“You need to be fit and prepared to sharpen your skills on that level and we needed a few more weeks to get to that level.”

MORE: Ackers relishing Rennie reunion

Photo: Vodacom Bulls