Two games, one goal: Bulls go all-in to ignite Johan Ackermann era in Champions Cup

The Bulls’ first season under Johan Ackermann has reached a defining moment, and the next two weeks will reveal far more than whether they can still sneak into the Champions Cup knockout stages.

What matters most now is momentum – real, tangible winning momentum – and not another round of brave performances that end in narrow defeats.

Saturday’s clash against the Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld is the starting point.

The Bulls enter the match battered on the results sheet, having slipped to six defeats, including two in Europe, but not without belief. Their near-miss against the Stormers in last weekend’s north-south derby showed enough grit and physicality to suggest they are closer to snapping the unwanted streak.

“Hopefully, soon, we can turn that corner,” Ackermann said.

“We just have to keep going at it. There are a lot of positives we could take out of the match and if we can replicate the performance and fix the mistakes, we can probably turn our season around. How we played (in Cape Town) will definitely give us confidence heading into the European games.”

The Bulls need 10 points from their final two Champions Cup matches, at home to Bristol and away to Pau, and even then, they will require a helping hand from elsewhere to progress to the Round of 16. It’s a tough equation, but one that demands ambition rather than caution.

For that reason, Ackermann has vowed to go all-out in both fixtures, prioritising wins over damage control. That mindset represents a shift from recent weeks, where the Bulls have often taken small positives from losses.

Against the Stormers, they defended strongly, dominated physically for long stretches and stayed in the fight until the end. Those characteristics matter, but Ackermann knows they only count if they translate into positive results. The Bulls cannot afford to just admire patches of good rugby – they need to learn how to close games out.

Encouragingly, Ackermann believes conditions are finally right for improvement, although they might be without utility back Canan Moodie after he failed a concussion test at the DHL Stadium.

For the first time last week, he had his full contracted squad available, and the difference in preparation was noticeable. Another full week together, with no major injury disruptions, should only sharpen combinations and decision-making as they switch their focus to European opposition.

“Hopefully, this performance (against the Stormers) is the start of getting that unity and jelling of players back. We need to use the next two games to get everyone on the right track and it will then take us into the URC on a bit more of a positive note. The next block is the start of the journey of getting everyone on the same page.

“We know it won’t be easy. Every team is good; we saw the Lions and their result (against the Sharks). We are going to try and get this group as tight as possible and play them together as much as we can.”

Bristol will bring a different challenge, one that tests the Bulls’ game management and discipline as much as their physical edge. Pau, away in France, will be even tougher.

However, the coaching staff will see these matches as opportunities and not obstacles. Two wins would not only keep their Champions Cup hopes alive, but could also spark a surge in confidence ahead of more local derbies in the URC.