It’s time to focus on the URC.
That’s the blunt message from Vodacom Bulls coach Johan Ackermann after his side’s narrow 25-21 defeat to Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun on Saturday night that dumped them out of the Investec Champions Cup.
The Bulls fought bravely but in terrible weather conditions and marred by their own mistakes at times, were never going to win a battle that seemed tailor made for the home side. The fact they came close was more down to guts than anything else.
Given that this week is the quarterfinals of the Champions’ Cup, the Bulls have decided to base themselves in the south of France, a plan hatched before the Round of 16 on the off chance they would have had to face Toulon, who beat the DHL Stormers in controversial fashion this past weekend.
It is far preferable to flying home and back again as they have two crucial fixtures against the Ospreys and Dragons in Wales from next weekend before their final two regular season fixtures at Loftus Versfeld to finish off the season.
Given the cost of taking a travelling group around Europe, a week off to refocus and aim their attention at the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is understandable, as was Ackermann’s assertion that the alternative was three weeks in Cardiff, instead of the two they will now have to their disposal.
Still, while he was disappointed at the loss on Saturday, Ackermann was very proud of his players in the circumstances. Ackermann did point to some sickness in the camp that may have hampered them, but didn’t want to use that as an excuse.
“First of all, I'm extremely proud of the players, of the effort that went in. It was a challenging week, not to use it as an excuse, but there were a lot of challenges from the health of the players. There were a lot of players sick early in the week, and then even yesterday and today, there were moments that we don't know if Harold (Vorster) or Handre (Pollard) are going to play, but I don't want to use excuses,” he said.
“The players just showed me again the character that we've got, how proud I am of the players. A lot of fight they showed, and in tough conditions we were not far from getting the victory. Although it hurts a lot - the fact that we're out of the European competition -it hurts. A loss is never easy if you've put in a lot of effort.”
FULL TIME.
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) April 4, 2026
Tough fight in Scotland as our Champions Cup journey comes to an end 🐂
Thank you for your support 💙@Vodacom | @ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/631VyVoSrg
Ackermann said discipline was disappointing as the penalties they conceded put them on the back foot at crucial times in the game.
“We didn't use all our opportunities in the 22, but we started well. Unfortunately, a few of the kick-offs that come to mind, we didn't exit well. We made mistakes. I think we gave them soft entries with our discipline, and were caught offside a few times.
“Our discipline was probably a big thing that gave them a bit of territory and possession, and then credit. They used it and scored, but we obviously stayed in the fight by scoring as well. And then just some clinical times where we didn't finish or made some mistakes.
“It's as if the ball also didn't want to bounce our way because even at the last kick-off, Zack wanted the ball to bounce and roll dead, but it didn't. More than often on an artificial pitch, it will run dead and then get the scrum. So, yeah, it didn't go our way in that sense.
“But I feel overall, the biggest thing for us was just if we can fix our discipline and then we would have probably been in the game a bit more. But there was a lot of character and a lot of fight. And that's the ultimate.
"What we can ask for is for the players to do that. There's definitely obviously things that we need to fix, but it's now done and dusted, that competition, as much as it hurts. And that will put our focus now on the URC.”
Ackermann also said the conditions were extremely tough for the Bulls, especially playing against the wind in the second half.
“I don't think that people realise the tough conditions, especially in the second half. Obviously in the first half, our discipline and our exits kept them in play, but the second half was really tough to play against a very strong wind, and we saw that when we almost scored and we lost the ball and they kicked it, and it rolled around almost 70 metres.
“You know, the players had to dig in deep to stay in the fight in that second half. And people, it's easy to criticise from afar, but it was tough conditions. One or two bounces off the ball could have been different, especially in that second half on that artificial pitch.
"Players have to make those decisions, but it's definitely not a lack of effort, but on any other given day, it goes your way.”
The Bulls will move to France for the next few days and lay low, concentrating on their two matches in Wales before returning home to face Italian sides Zebre and Benetton.