Bulls boss backing Handre Pollard to come good at business end of the season

Ackermann's comments came after Pollard's superlative performance in the second of their 52-17 hammering of the Lions at Ellis Park in the United Rugby Championship derby last Saturday.

The win was the Bulls' third consecutive victory, confirming they have indeed turned the corner from a disastrous run of seven consecutive losses earlier in the season.

"Handre has come in for quite a bit of stick recently, and he didn't have the best start today, but he really grew into the game and in the second half was pulling the strings really nicely," said Ackermann after the match.

"It's because of the kind of player he is, and he's hard on himself. The good thing about Handre is he doesn't let mistakes make him negative.

"That is because of the player he is, his character and the experience he has. He showed it during the game.

"He never let it get him down, and the players rallied around him. You back your flyhalves. Hopefully, when we need him [down the line], those mistakes won't appear, and we'll get the best out of him. We just have to be patient [with him]."

It's certainly a case of 'form is temporary, class is permanent' for double World Cup winner Pollard.

"Handre has shown his pedigree," continued Ackermann.

"He has put his hand up for the teams he played in, Leicester [Tigers], the Bulls and the Springboks."