Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann is counting on the inclusion of players from the Springbok team to revive his club's campaign. However, he recognizes that his reshaped squad must overcome travel fatigue, illness, and the confident play of the Lions in the derby scheduled for Saturday at Jukskei stadium.
For the match in the United Rugby Championship at Loftus Versfeld stadium, which will start at an unusual time of 13:30, the Bulls made ten changes to their starting XV, including ten representatives from the Springboks.
Hanro Liebenberg will lead the team for the first time, taking over from injured Marcell Coetzee. Ackermann's team returns home needing a win after a 26-22 defeat to Munster in Limerick last week. They previously started the season with a convincing victory over the Zebres by 47-13 in Parma, but preparation for the Lions game was complicated by the long journey home and player indispositions.
Ackermann acknowledged the difficulty of the past week, noting that the flights were very tiring, and subsequently many players arrived sick and unable to train. He added that some players did not participate in the entire pre-season preparation, and although they are ready to play, the team faces the need to manage the group's physical condition.
Faced with these disruptions, Ackermann decided to utilize the quality and experience of the returning Springbok players instead of gradually integrating them into the campaign. He emphasized the need to acknowledge the value of certain Springbok players who were absent from the team not by choice, and it was difficult not to field them. He noted that this differs from a player returning from injury who needs recovery.
Furthermore, the appointment of Liebenberg as captain is a significant change, and lock Kobus Wiesse could play his 50th match for the Bulls if he comes off the bench. Coetzee is expected to be fit for next week's Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Français, while Reinhardt Ludwig and Stravino Jacobs will miss Saturday's game due to illness.
The Bulls can rely on their recent form at Loftus, where they have won the last five URC matches. They will need this home advantage against the Lions, who started the season perfectly. Ivan van Rooyen's team secured a bonus-point win over the Ospreys by 35-19 after their first victory over Leinster and arrives in Pretoria with great momentum. They also have fond memories of their last visit to Loftus, where they beat the Bulls 43-33 in last season's derby.
Ackermann, who is well acquainted with the Lions, does not idealize the threat posed by this team. He stated that the Lions are a group that has played together for a long time, and they remain one of the most dangerous teams because they are capable of dominating in the tight phases. They know how to maul and scrum, but they can also attack unexpectedly. That is their DNA: they can move the ball, and that is what makes them dangerous.
The Lions' ability to combine forward power with attacking ambition can be particularly dangerous for the Bulls, who had little time for joint preparation. Ackermann expects the visitors to raise the tempo and test the energy of the team just returned from Ireland. He believes the opponents will definitely play at a high tempo, knowing that the Bulls have just flown back, and they will want to use that to their advantage.