The Super Rugby season might only be two games old but it seems like Bulls coach Frans Ludeke’s bosses patience is wearing thin after the team’s two successive home losses.
There is talk around Loftus Versfeld that Ludeke’s employers are not at all happy with the way in which the team has started the season and there is pressure for radical changes to be made ahead of their clash against the Sharks on Saturday at Loftus.
While the board remains silent in the public domain there is allegedly much discontent with Ludeke even though the two time Super Rugby winning coach has called for calmness and patience after Friday’s loss to the Hurricanes.
It seems like Ludeke will react to the pressure by making some changes to his team to play against the Sharks in the hope that it sparks his team into playing better rugby and arresting a winless start to the competition.
There might be another shake-up in the Bulls frontrow with Marcel van der Merwe now recovered from his hamstring injury and ready for selection which could see the Bulls select their strongest frontrow yet with Van der Merwe and Trevor Nyakane at prop while the Bulls are set to persist with an out-of-sorts Adriaan Strauss.
It is unlikely that Ludeke will make any further changes amongst the forwards and that was further hampered by news that loose forward Arno Botha will be out of action for a further two weeks because of a pectoral muscle tear sustained in the first game of the season against the Stormers.
Apparently, there were robust discussions amongst the Bulls management yesterday on what changes to make in the underperforming backline but what appears to be certain is that scrumhalf Piet van Zyl and utility back Francois Hougaard will not be in the starting line-up to face the Sharks.
Whatever decisions Ludeke makes later this week in announcing his team, they will have to be radical enough to transform the way in which the team plays so much that the Bulls get a winning result.
Ludeke has also admitted that the game against the Sharks is critical for his team’s aspirations for the season but that it will be important for them to take it game-by-game.
“If we say it’s a must win, we realise how important the game is.
“When you miss out, you need to keep your focus and attitude.
“This week is a vital one,” said Ludeke.
“I’ve seen a lot of sides that have lost their first four games, and went on.
“It’s all about getting back on the horse, getting that first win and focusing on this week.
“Don’t focus on the season, just make sure we focus on this week and do what we have to do.”
What the Bulls will need to do is rather simple and that is to win.
If they win than they begin their steady climb up the Super Rugby standings and with that the crowds will return to Loftus and Ludeke’s bosses will be happier.
That won’t only save the Bulls season but it could also save Ludeke’s job. - The Star