Ackers backs the Bulls

Ackers backs the Bulls

3 May 2006

Sharks lock Johan Ackermann believes the Bulls will beat the Crusaders at Loftus on Saturday to keep their Vodacom Super 14 semi-final hopes alive.

Having played against both sides this year, the eight-Test Springbok is prepared to make a prediction.

“If they were playing each other in Christchuch then I’d back the Crusaders to win by two points, but because it’s at Loftus I reckon the Bulls will win it narrowly,” he told keo.co.za. “Home ground advantage has played a big role in the Super 14 so far, and is probably worth around five points.”

The Bulls blew the Sharks away with 27 points during the first half of their derby match last weekend, and Ackermann says they’ll need to make a similar start on Saturday.

“The Crusaders are not unbeatable – the Stormers showed us that,” he said. “If the Bulls can get off to a flyer, like they did against us, then the Crusaders will be in big trouble. However, the Bulls will have to make sure they don’t let them back into the game in the second half. If they can beat the Crusaders on Saturday, and the Brumbies slip up, then they can finish fourth on the log.”

By Simon Borchardt


28 Comments

  • 1.cab: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:13 pm

    reckon home ground advtage is probably worth around 15 points to SA teams, and at least 20 to the bulls.

  • 2.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:14 pm

    still think he should make the bok team as a late sub for bakkies. imagine facing bakkies for 60 min and then this oke runs on. eina man, niks lekker nie.

  • 3.Ig: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:14 pm

    mmmh Ackers – not so sure – at home ‘Saders by two points….more like 20 points considering the Bullies travel record

  • 4.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:14 pm

    So true ! lets hope they can pull this one off.

    Go Bulls !!

  • 5.Stan: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:15 pm

    The Saders are totally overrated this year.
    I mean, even the Stormers beat them and they could not win the Force.

  • 6.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:16 pm

    As die bulle 10 punte vlge twee games kry en Crusaders kry Vrydag niks dan gaan dit neer kom op die Brumbies v Saders game. Een wat daar verloor val uit (behalwe as Saders verloor maar bonuspunt kry)

  • 7.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:22 pm

    Stan

    Ek verstaan Mr Manuals gaan Vrydagaand se game blaas ? is dit waar ?

  • 8.Loafer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:26 pm

    Manuels sal vir Mike Bolhuis moet kry as hy ooit weer naby Loftus wil kom.

  • 9.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:27 pm

    Ja nee , ek dink nie eens hulle moet daai man Vrydagaand as lynsregter oorweeg nie. Daar kan dalk groot kakkies kom

  • 10.Loafer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:32 pm

    Nee regtig, ekdink nie daai ou sal ooit ‘n game op loftus blaas nie. Kan jy jou indink hy moet ‘n Blou Bul – WP game blaas…

  • 11.banana boy: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:42 pm

    I will back the Bulls, so that at least we can have one SA team in the semis…..

    but I have a feeling that the Saders might be hurting and will be out for revenge…. either way it shold be a good but crucial game!

  • 12.Cape Shark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:53 pm

    Bulls to win this one!!!

  • 13.yoda: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:55 pm

    To the sharkies and Andre wp

    thanks for the support towards the bulls

  • 14.KOEKS: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:58 pm

    LOAFER – 8
    Baie mooi gestel daar

  • 15.oxfordshark: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 12:58 pm

    Good luck to da Bulls

  • 16.B4theGame: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 13:01 pm

    Yeah that is if the Crusaders will turn up again on Sat after Fri nite :)

  • 17.KOEKS: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 13:06 pm

    Al wat jy sien is die Blou masjien.
    Nagmerrie vir baie spanne !!!
    Goodluck to the Bully Boys.

  • 18.bluebarb: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:13 pm

    does this mean AJ and Johan dont see eye to eye?

  • 19.gavin: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:38 pm

    heres a man with SA at heart,
    unlike AJ , he backs his countryman

  • 20.cab: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:43 pm

    This guy could have been a really good bok, if he hadn’t dabbled with that steroid ****. Imagine him at no. 4 a few years back.

  • 21.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:48 pm

    Bluebarb – He’s considerably taller than AJ, so I guess they don’t…

  • 22.Frazer: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 14:57 pm

    Gavin, trust me, AJ has nothing but SA rugby at heart. The fact that he is backing the defending champions says less about where his heart is than it does about him not being delusional.

  • 23.sarky: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:01 pm

    Cab 1. Well said. I think history shows us that the Crusaders may lose this one, but the Bulls will come horribly short overseas. Amazing how the BB suporters confuse patriotism with a game called rugby!

    Cab 20. I am a Naas believer, they’re never too old or too young. JW can easily play a guy like Ackers for 40 minutes in tandem with B Botha.

  • 24.Bloubul007: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:16 pm

    Cape Shark and Andre_WP thanks for the support boys atleast there is some guys from other provinces that can atleast support us guys to Thanks a mill!!!!!! :)

  • 25.Bloubul007: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:19 pm

    Frazer now don’t let us start again please.
    If you have kak comments about the bulls go tell it to your wife at home tonight. The bulls is our only change now for a semi so put away your pride and support them please , nothing left to be said

  • 26.cab: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 15:26 pm

    sarky,

    yep think they will come horribly short overseas, but would be good for at least 1 SA team to at least compete. still got to get there, 2 big matches coming up.

    also, dont think age should play such a big part, very young sqaud as it is, players like Os, AJ and Ackerman give the young guys alot of respect.

  • 27.St.Petersburgbok: Reply to this comment
    3 May 2006, 16:38 pm

    well he had better…or else Bakkies will moere him again!!

  • 28.snoop: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2006, 07:27 am

    Stan

    Your english is very like delicious.

    Stick to bonehead then at least most dont even bother reading it.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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