Ackermann laments 'sluggish' performance after defeat

BULLS coach Johan Ackermann says he sounded the warning siren to his players during the buildup to their SA derby with the Stormers at the weekend, but his words did not sink in.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

BULLS coach Johan Ackermann didn't hold back after his side's 32-19 derby defeat to the Stormers. From handling errors to discipline issues, the "basics" let the Bulls down at Loftus.

(Backpagepix)

The Bulls were hot favourites to beat their old foe, but they were not at the races, with the Cape team showing more urgency, accuracy and hunger as they powered to an emphatic 32-19 win.

The home fixture had provided the Bulls with a good opportunity to make inroads into the top half of the URC top eight, but their failure leaves them in eighth position, while the Stormers climb from sixth to fourth.

"We were caught off guard, even though we had spoken about the danger the Stormers presented," the dismayed Ackermann said.