Johan Ackermann targets strong start in Champions Cup

Ackermann says the tournament brings together some of the strongest teams across Europe and South Africa, making it one of the toughest titles to win outside competitions involving clubs from Australia and New Zealand. The Pretoria outfit will open their Champions Cup campaign against French side Stade Français at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Having previously coached in the competition during his time with Gloucester, Ackermann understands the importance of making home advantage count and believes winning at Loftus will be crucial to the Bulls’ ambitions of progressing beyond the pool stages.

"The bottom line of the Investec Champions Cup is that you must win your home games. If you win your home games, you will be in the playoffs, but then obviously, if you can pick up an away win, you'll probably be in the round of 16, the first knockout round that we played last year," said Ackermann.

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"That would be ideal, but I think, first of all, you need to win your home games at least to get into the playoffs. Look at last year when we played in the round of 16; we were 3 or 4 points away from beating Glasgow, and then we would have been in a quarterfinal, so anything can happen then."

The Bulls have also announced a 42-player squad for this season’s Investec Champions Cup, featuring 14 Springboks. Ackermann has selected 24 forwards and 18 backs for the European campaign.

Meanwhile, Ackermann has urged his players to maintain their intensity following an emphatic 57-15 victory over the Lions in their United Rugby Championship encounter at Loftus Versfeld over the weekend. Despite the convincing result, the Bulls mentor believes his side cannot afford to become complacent as they turn their attention to the Champions Cup.

The Bulls have strengthened their front-row options with the short-term loan signing of experienced tighthead prop Hencus van Wyk, who joins the Pretoria franchise for the next couple of months. The 34-year-old has been brought in to ease the pressure on the Bulls’ depleted front row, with Mawande Mdanda and Mornay Smith currently sidelined through injury. Both players are expected to return before the end of the year, but their absence has left Ackermann with limited options in a demanding position. Van Wyk’s arrival provides much-needed cover for the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup commitments.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are monitoring the fitness of several key players ahead of their Champions Cup opener against Stade Français on Saturday. Stravino Jacobs, Marcell Coetzee, Thaakir Abrahams and Janco Uys were all unavailable for the weekend’s victory over the Lions after sustaining injuries during the Bulls’ physically demanding United Rugby Championship clash against Munster. With the Pretoria side now preparing for a different level of competition against European opposition, Ackermann will be hoping to welcome some of his injured players back into contention.