Bulls coach Johan Ackermann heaps praise on Glasgow ahead of semifinal showdown

The Pretoria franchise was impressive in their dominant 45-14 victory over Irish giants Munster in their quarterfinal on Saturday. Brutal forward play was balanced with backline nous as the men in blue created plenty of opportunities out wide to run in six converted tries.

But the degree of difficulty goes up several notches in this semifinal. For one, the Bulls have to travel and Glasgow have been superlative at home this season. Secondly, the Scots have had the better of the Bulls in their last two clashes. Glasgow beat the Bulls in Round 5 of the URC in October, then again in the Champions Cup quarterfinals in April. Scotstoun Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for anyone.

As such, Ackermann knows the Bulls will have to be at their best if they are to topple the URC's number one-ranked team.

"Glasgow is so clinical," he told the press on Saturday.

"There were some silly offloads tonight and there were some great ones. We have to cut out those silly ones.

"They defend very well and don't make it easy for you. Our patience with the ball has to improve. They are an all-round, highly skilled attacking team. That's why we have to be better.

"Glasgow are not the number one side for nothing. They are one of the best attacking teams, one of the best set-piece teams and one of the best defensive teams.

"We just have to find a way to win."

Injuries are part and parcel of the sport and the Bulls will go into their semifinal without winger Sergeal Pietersen at the very least. Prop Wilco Louw is in doubt after missing the match due to bronchitis, while Junior Springbok bolter Cheswill Jooste is still on the mend.

"Hopefully it's only knocks, but it looks like Sergeal won't make next week," continued Ackermann.

"He's done his shoulder quite badly, so that's the one we're aware of now.

"[Jooste] is almost ready, so hopefully by Monday he can train with us and be an option, especially now with Sergeal out. That's been one area where we've just scraped through the whole season. If one winger is out, another one goes down."

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