Coach Johan Ackermann says he has a “burning desire” to win a final with the Vodacom Bulls.
Ackermann replaced Jake White, who guided the Pretoria-based side to three URC finals in four years but never lifted the trophy.
Ackermann himself has also experienced heartbreak, falling short in two Super Rugby finals with the Lions and in the Challenge Cup final with Gloucester.
That history has only sharpened his hunger for silverware.
“It’s a burning desire, I want to win a final – I’m tired of losing,” Ackermann admitted this week, with captain Marcell Coetzee alongside him adding: “Me too.”
Ackermann stressed that while the ambition is clear, success won’t come without hard graft.
“It’s something we really want, so we want to prepare the team really well. Ultimately, I must just make sure the players, the staff and everybody works as hard as we can but make sure that we enjoy what we’re doing because it’s a game that we love.
“There will always be pressure for any team that puts on a jersey and goes out to win. There’s no question that we want to win, but it doesn’t just work like that – you have to earn the right to win that trophy.”
The coach acknowledged that the weight of expectation is already being felt.
“Obviously, it does put extra pressure on because I try not to read the media, but you see the headlines. That’s probably the only measure of success for our supporters, because every supporter wants their team to win.”
For now, though, Ackermann is keeping the focus narrow.
“I said to the players this morning, next week is the first game and that’s all we worry about now. If you think too far ahead, you’ll probably miss the small things.
“I’m still learning how this whole campaign runs, the players are getting used to my ways and the coaches are still learning each other as well. So I don’t want to add pressure by talking about what will define the season or not – we’re just going to focus on the things we can control.”
The Bulls kick off their URC campaign against the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday.
