Johan Ackermann has delivered a blunt message to his Bulls squad ahead of their final two URC regular season matches — do not underestimate the Italians. With Zebre visiting Loftus on 9 May and Benetton following a week later, Ackermann is moving decisively to stamp out any hint of complacency before it takes root.

The warning carries real weight. The Bulls have been in commanding form — a 47-7 demolition of the Dragons in Cardiff was followed by Handré Pollard's 79th-minute penalty to steal a 23-21 victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli last Saturday. But Ackermann knows that momentum built against Welsh opposition means nothing if his side strolls into fixtures against Italian clubs without the correct mindset.

Italian rugby has made a habit of punishing complacency in the URC. Benetton in particular have demonstrated the capacity to grind out results against South African franchises when their opponents arrive underprepared. Ackermann — a veteran of high-stakes knockout rugby — has seen enough slip-ups at this stage of the competition to understand the damage a dropped-points disaster can cause when seedings are finalised.

The timing matters. Every ranking point between now and the end of the pool stage shapes the Bulls' playoff path, and Ackermann's public messaging is as much strategic as it is tactical. He is setting the tone, resetting the standards, and making absolutely clear that these two home encounters demand the same intensity as any Champions Cup contest.

The Bulls' URC campaign has the look of a franchise capable of going deep in the knockouts. Ackermann intends to keep it that way. First, Zebre must be dealt with at Loftus on Saturday before Benetton arrive the following week — and the coach has made it plain that neither Italian side will be gifted an inch.