New Vodacom Bulls backs and attack coach Neil de Bruin says he’s already picked up a few things that require attention.
De Bruin replaces Chris Rossouw, who was sacked on Tuesday along with forwards coach Andries Bekker following five successive defeats under head coach Johan Ackermann.
The appointment reunites De Bruin with Ackermann, who he previously worked under at the Docomo Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks.
“This is not the first time Ackers and I have joined forces,” De Bruin told Rapport. “Ackers and I have come a long way together. He offered me a massive opportunity in Japan; so much so that I had already said ‘yes’ before he could finish the question. That’s how highly I regard Ackers, both as a person and as a coach.
“Apart from rugby, he and I also share a spiritual bond. As a coach, Ackers understands the game very well and more importantly, he knows how to work with players. That’s why I resonate with him. I absolutely believe in his principles of teamwork and culture building.
“That’s how Ackers and I work. [Bulls defence coach] Jean Tiedt and I also worked together at the NWU before, so it should be a seamless transition.”
De Bruin, who leaves his role as Paarl Boys’ High director of rugby, admitted he’d already starting thinking about how to help get the Bulls back on track.
“I’ve often been lying awake about this for the past 48 hours,” he said with a laugh. “My way of doing things is to first understand how a team like the Bulls functions. You can study as much video material as you want and I’ve already picked up a few things that require attention, but my starting point is always: understand before you demand.
“The Bulls are an ultra-successful team with exceptional qualities, as evidenced by the URC finals they have reached in the past few seasons. The adjustments that need to be made are therefore not massive. It is about building on and highlighting their strengths, and I would like to put a positive spin on them.”
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
