Stormers defence coach Norman Laker questions Springboks coaches' involvement at Bulls

The Bulls, who are enduring a five-match losing streak across all competitions, have received short-term support from Bok assistant coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, SA Rugby Mobi-Unit coach Duane Vermeulen and head of athletic performance Andy Edwards. The intervention comes during a transitional period for the Pretoria side, now coached by Johan Ackermann following the departure of former director of rugby Jake White.

While Laker stopped well short of accusing anyone of wrongdoing, he admitted the timing of the move was unexpected, particularly given long-standing convention around local derbies.

"Normally, the national coaches don't really help teams when there are derbies involved," Laker said at a Stormers media briefing on Monday. "So it was quite interesting for me to see that, in such a big week, they're bringing the Springbok coaches in to help the Bulls."

The Stormers coach stressed that his reaction was more curiosity than complaint, noting that previous Bok involvement with franchises had usually been limited to matches against overseas opposition.

"In the past, guys like Felix Jones and Daan Human have assisted teams when we were playing teams like Leicester or Harlequins," he explained. "Felix has helped us before, Daan has come in to assist with scrummaging, and when Jacques Nienaber was with the Boks he often visited our sessions. But that was never ahead of a local derby."

Asked whether the Bulls could gain an advantage from the added expertise, Laker remained diplomatic.

"I can't say if it's fair or unfair. I just find it interesting. That's all I can really say," he said.

Despite the unusual backdrop, Laker insisted the Stormers' preparation and mindset remain unchanged ahead of a fixture that rarely needs external motivation.

"It doesn't matter who is coaching the team this week," he said. "A north-south derby is always intense. Players come out guns blazing, backs against the wall, wanting to win." 

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