Player of the Match Keagan Johannes enjoyed ‘big responsibility’ of driving Bulls in URC romp over Zebre

Keagan Johannes’ display against Leinster last week was described as “not an all-round performance” by Bulls coach Jake White.

So, he must have felt the pressure all week long ahead of Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Zebre at Loftus Versfeld.

It has been a whirlwind ride for the 25-year-old from Mamre, near the Cape West Coast, over the last few weeks, as he has gone from being the bench scrumhalf to the starting flyhalf in the absence of the injured Johan Goosen and then Willie le Roux.

And Johannes repaid the faith that White showed in starting him at No 10 again as he delivered arguably his finest outing in the light-blue jersey, landing all seven of his goal-kicks to be chosen as the Player of the Match in the Bulls’ 63-24 romp over Zebre.

While the Pretoria side ran in nine tries to three to go up to second on the URC log, Johannes called the shots with aplomb, ensuring the Bulls were heading in the right direction.

He varied his play smartly, making good use of the boot in the early stages by kicking the ball out and not giving the Italians too many counter-attacking opportunities.

Johannes pulled off a superb 50-22 touch-finder in the second minute, and the nerves were truly settled when he slotted the conversion of Sergeal Petersen’s opening try.

The Bulls forwards also climbed in vigorously, with hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels a stand-out with his strong ball-carries and being part of a powerful scrum alongside Alulutho Tshakweni and Mornay Smith, while the lineout drives also worked well.

Captain Marcell Coetzee was also busy throughout as he took in the Zebre defence with much-needed direct running, and then halfbacks Johannes and Zak Burger mixed things up between kicking and running to keep the visitors guessing.

The four-try bonus point arrived before halftime as Wessels burrowed his way through a maul to dive over to make it 28-10 at the break.

Even when Zebre flyhalf Giovanni Montemauri dotted down early in the second half after some flimsy Bulls defence, the home side restored their advantage through a Marco van Staden try.

“We needed patience today. We knew Zebre were going to come out after their confident match last weekend,” Johannes said in a post-match TV interview with SuperSport.

“So, I’m glad we stuck with our patience, and we could pull that one through.

“(The kicking game was) very important for us. So, with the altitude, just to play in front of our forwards and keep the momentum on our side.

“Ja, I’m a bit in awe,” Johannes added about the Player of the Match award.

“It’s big shoes I have to fill. I obviously have to drive this team, (which) is a big responsibility.

“But I’m enjoying every moment of it, and it’s just a privilege.”

Zebre, who lost 35-34 to the Sharks in Durban last week, didn’t give up and fought back through a maul try by hooker Tommaso di Bartolomeo to reduce the deficit to 35-24.

But four minutes later, Coetzee broke through a few tackles after a huge Bulls scrum to end the match as a contest, and the bench – including returning Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé and Nizaam Carr – played their part to take the points tally over 60 in the final quarter.

“That’s the thing with Zebre: they’re not going to make it easy for you. At times, we made it hard for ourselves, with silly errors and not sticking to the system,” Coetzee told SuperSport.

“But all in all, we regrouped and managed to put some points on the board. A lot of work-ons for us before we go on tour (starting with the Challenge Cup last-16 playoff against Bayonne in France next Saturday), but enjoyable and happy with the win.

“The bench made a massive difference. Some experienced heads on the bench, and the club captain Ruan (Nortjé) coming on and bringing a bit of composure, and Akker (van der Merwe), Wilco (Louw) are experienced men.

“They know when to chase the tempo, but also to slow it down, and I think they made a huge difference in the second half.”

Points-Scorers

Bulls 63 – Tries: Sergeal Petersen (2), Zak Burger, Stravino Jacobs, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Marco van Staden, Marcell Coetzee, Harold Vorster, David Kriel. Conversions: Keagan Johannes (7), Boeta Chamberlain (2).

Zebre 24 – Tries: Jacopo Trulla, Giovanni Montemauri, Tommaso di Bartolomeo. Conversions: Montemauri (2), Giacomo da Re. Drop goal: Alessandro Fusco (1).