Johan Ackermann says they’re not underestimating Zebre ahead of their Vodacom URC clash at Loftus on Saturday, despite making several changes to the team.
The Bulls will field a heavily rotated side, with several regular impact players promoted into the run-on XV.
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“We felt that at some point we needed to give the guys who’ve constantly been getting game time off the bench, a chance to start,” Ackermann explained.
“Put them in that scenario for a change.
“We literally just put our bench in the starting lineup and the guys who often start, are now on the bench.”
One of the more eye-catching changes sees Kurt-Lee Arendse shift to fullback following the injury to David Kriel.
“The only difference is with Kurt-Lee’s scenario which we were forced into by the injury to David Kriel, so the reality is we just wanted to test our depth at fullback,” Ackermann added.
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Despite the heavy rotation, Ackermann insists the Bulls are fully aware of the threat posed by Zebre, who have shown significant improvement this season.
“I must make it clear that we’re not underestimating Zebre,” he said.
“We have a lot of respect for them and what they can bring.
“If you analyse them, you’ll find that sometimes they’ve just been unlucky, and there’ve been small margins.”
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Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
The post Ackers: Team choices no disrespect to Zebre appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
