Opposition view: Bulls boss Ackermann questions himself after big loss at Saints
Johan Ackermann was left questioning his own management after Vodacom Bulls were beaten 50-5 at Saints on Sunday.
Ackermann opted to rest the likes of Handre Pollard and Canan Moodie for the trip to Northampton - and his side were eventually well beaten at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens.
The Bulls put up a good fight during the first half, holding out for long periods as Saints only scored twice to take a 14-5 lead at the half-time.
But the black, green and gold were far better after the break, clicking into gear to score six more tries without reply in the Investec Champions Cup clash.
“When you leak that amount of tries, you start questioning yourself as coaches and management,” Bulls boss Ackermann said.
“We prepared the guys well during the week – Friday was one of our better training sessions, and it doesn’t help that we lost by the margin that we lost.
“The only thing we can do is keep working with the individuals, keep working with the team, keep working at improving.
"I know talk is cheap because at the end of the day the results are not showing that we’re working on it, but I can promise that we are.
“When we pick players, there is an expectation that they can do the job – and we can keep working with them, then it’s up to us to make sure they can do it.
“If we feel they can’t do it, then we’ll give the next guy an opportunity.
“If they are good enough to be signed by us, then hopefully they are good enough to perform.
"Nobody purposely goes out to make a mistake."