Jake White, director of rugby at the Bulls, had a chat with flyhalf Keagan Johannes during half-time 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.
Keagan Johannes take a BOW!
Stepping up to Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby flyhalf this season, and then stepping out with this supreme individual try against Edinburgh.@Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/4czdWMyUD8
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) June 3, 2025
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.
VODACOM BULLS ARE CHARGING AHEAD into the Semi-Finals at Loftus against the Hollywoodbets Sharks 🥶
It’s an all South African VURC SEMI-FINAL and we NEED you there 🔥🐂
🎟️TICKETS ➡️ https://t.co/m0aR7qpPm9
🗓️7 June | ⏰ 18:15 | LOFTUS @Vodacom #URC | @URCOfficial_RSA… pic.twitter.com/x18ZT9N1jQ
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) May 31, 2025
“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 half-time, 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.”
According to Johannes, there is a good mood in the camp and every player is focused on the task at hand. While they do not have the cleanest record against the Sharks at Loftus for the last couple of games, the home side will fancy their chances of making another final.
Loftus could host the final against the defending champions Glasgow Warriors if the cards fall into place. They meet Leinster in Dublin in the first semi-final on Saturday afternoon and a victory for the Scots could see them head to Pretoria again. The Bulls will know by kick-off who their potential opponents could be.
However, their focus is not on the final, but the clash on Saturday.
“Our goal is to play for 80 minutes like in the second half against Edinburgh. But, the Sharks are a very different team to them. I don’t think we can plan the same way. It will be our job to figure the Sharks out and do what we can.”
