Ackers shares belief in youngsters, and also good news on two of the Bulls injured springboks

The young Bulls team that disposed of the Ospreys at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday has shown new coach Johan Ackermann what they can contribute in the absence of their big-name Springboks.

Ackermann was a happy coach after the game and highlighted his belief in the youngsters.

He also confirmed that two of the Bulls’ injured Springboks, Cameron Hanekom and Elrigh Louw, should be back on the field in a month or two.

The Bulls, coming from behind after a scrappy first half, outscored the Ospreys 53-40 in a 15-try feast in the opening round of the United Rugby Championship.

The win was based on more clinical control in the second half and their renowned forward power.

“We will always be happy with a win, but you mustn’t take it for granted,” the coach said, adding, “It’s great to know what we’ve got to our disposal, and I have a lot of faith in the current group.

“But we need to be better. Obviously, the teams will get better as the season progresses.

Some of the tries we scored tonight were easier; other teams won’t allow you to score as many tries. We must fix the things now with the players that we’ve got.

“I still believe they can fix the things and compete with the best; we just need to work harder.”

Ackermann was particularly pleased with the second-half performance come the set-pieces and credited the forwards for the swing in momentum.

“It was an important part of the match where there was a bit of a momentum swing a few times when we needed that penalty or needed to score a try.

“So credit to the pack of forwards. But it’s a team effort.

“Andries Bekker [assistant coach] did a great job with the forwards. We saw all the lineouts were great, and it’s a great base to play from.

“It’s a positive that our set-piece has fired, and we are going to need that going forward.

“There are dangerous players and quality players. If we can get everyone on the same page, and then utilise players like Sebastian [de Klerk] and Cheswill [Jooste], we’ll be in a good place. But it will take time.

“It’s encouraging to get a result like that when we still have players on the injury list and guys away with the Springboks.

Asked about the return of Louw and Combrinck, Ackermann said: “We are looking at a possible return post the tour, so it’s still a month or two away from returning.”