Keagan Johannes embraces Jake White's support as he gears up for semi-final showdown with Sharks
Bulls Flyhalf Keagan Johannes is embracing the opportunity to play against the Sharks in the semi-finals of the United Rugby Championship.
Image: BackpagePix
Jake White, director of rugby at the Bulls, had a chat with flyhalf Keagan Johannes during halftime of their quarter-final against Edinburgh.
His simple words to the inexperienced utility back were to back himself in the second half, play his natural game, and not to hand the kicking tee over to one of his teammates, but to take the responsibility.
Those were the only words the 25-year-old needed to hear, and he took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, assisted fullback Willie le Roux with their attacking play and delivered a flawless performance off the kicking tee to help steer the Bulls to a comfortable victory over their Scottish opponents. He contributed 17 points in the 42-33 win.
He scored a brilliant solo try after cutting the defence from the halfway line and stepping his way around a final defender to dive over untouched.
With the backing of White and his teammates, Johannes will embrace the opportunity to face the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Bulls will look to seal a place in a consecutive final in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
'I am really enjoying my rugby at the moment and am glad I could contribute to the victory this past weekend,' Johannes said.
'I feel I am hitting form at the right time. I really enjoyed the try I scored, and the spirits were very high after that second-half performance. Coach Jake spoke to me at halftime, and it was nice to hear he was backing me, and it gave me the confidence to enjoy the rest of the game,'
'In the previous two games, I had a few hiccups off the kicking tee, but I feel settled into that flyhalf spot and ready to contribute more. That is where the team needs me currently, and I feel I can improve my overall game by playing there and staying there for a while. I would like to thrive there a bit.'
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