Bulls talk to Swys, as players talk accountability

A sense of “accountability” filtered into the hallways of Loftus Versfeld on Monday as both players and coaches searched for the answers to the Vodacom Bulls’ poor start to the season.

The Bulls have lost their opening four fixtures of the season and are under immense pressure to turn the ship around against the Highlanders in their Vodacom Super Rugby fixture at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday before heading overseas for a four week tour.

On Monday Loftus was abuzz with news that former Springbok assistant coach Swys de Bruin was spotted at the union and in talks with the Bulls.

De Bruin was invited to share his views on the side with the management and met with CEO Alfons Meyer, BBRU President Willem Strauss and coach Pote Human.

All this happened as the Bulls cancelled their training for the day and held an “accountability meeting” for the players with no coaching staff present.

Human told Supersport.com afterwards that the meeting with De Bruin was “fruitful” and that he had been invited to share his views on the team.

“We had a chat with Swys, but it was just a general discussion on where the team is at. I have no problems chatting to anyone and while it was just a chat, it was a very good discussion.”

De Bruin is known as an attacking specialist and is currently consulting for the Isuzu Southern Kings in PRO14.

But after the team’s 39-24 loss on their home ground to the Jaguares, the two team captains’ Burger Odendaal and Trevor Nyakane called a players’ meeting to talk about “accountability” for the results.

“The players asked for the meeting and didn’t want coaches present. We agreed and they went ahead,” Human said.

Sources inside the camp said the players held a frank, open discussion about the problems the team was facing and their inability to grab a victory although in three of the four games they had more than enough chances to do so. The players apparently took ownership of their performances and according to one source the meeting was very productive and positive.

Against the Sharks and Blues they were in the game until the last few minutes while a lack of penetration killed them against the Stormers, despite having over 65% possession and battering the Stormers line for long periods on end.

Against the Jaguares they were bullied up front, and the defensive system, especially in the midfield without Odendaal there, looked brittle and ineffective, and cost them a number of tries.

With the team’s backs against the wall, Human agreed they need a win this weekend, at all costs.

• The Bulls are set to name their side to face the Highlanders on Wednesday and a number of changes are expected to the team to face the New Zealanders. After some below par performances by some senior players, Human is set to shake up the selection a bit in order to overcome the early season slump and get the team back on the winning path.