Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has made it clear that his team are targeting success in both the United Rugby Championship (URC) and the Investec Champions Cup as they prepare for their upcoming clash against Ulster.

Ackermann’s comments come after the Pretoria-based side recorded an impressive victory over Stade Français, a result that has strengthened their confidence as they continue their campaign across the two competitions.

The Bulls are determined to build on that performance and maintain their momentum as they turn their attention to Ulster. The upcoming fixture presents another important challenge for the South African side as they look to demonstrate their consistency against strong opposition.

Speaking about the team’s ambitions, Ackermann indicated that the Bulls are not willing to prioritise one competition at the expense of the other. Instead, the coach wants his players to compete for honours in both the URC and the Champions Cup.

The approach reflects the club’s desire to establish itself as a major force in domestic and European rugby. Success in the URC would strengthen the Bulls’ position among the leading teams in the competition, while a strong Champions Cup campaign would provide an opportunity to measure themselves against some of the best clubs in Europe.

The Bulls have developed a reputation for competing strongly in both tournaments, with their physical style of play and experienced squad helping them take on challenging opponents.

Their victory over Stade Français provided an encouraging sign of what the team can achieve when they perform at a high level. However, Ackermann will be aware that maintaining those standards throughout a demanding season will require consistency, squad depth and careful management of player workloads.

The clash against Ulster will therefore be another significant test for the Pretoria outfit. The Irish province are capable of presenting difficult challenges, meaning the Bulls will need to be disciplined and effective in both attack and defence.

Ackermann’s ambition to compete for both trophies also places responsibility on the entire squad. Players will need to remain fit, take their opportunities and deliver strong performances whenever called upon.

With the URC and Champions Cup offering different challenges, the Bulls will be aiming to show that they have the quality and determination to remain competitive on both fronts.

For Ackermann, the message is clear: the Bulls intend to pursue silverware in both competitions rather than settle for success in just one.

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