Bulls playmaker thriving under pressure
Keagan Johannes is relishing the responsibility to call the shots at flyhalf while honing his goal-kicking for the Vodacom Bulls in high-pressure matches.
Johannes was all smiles during a Bulls conference as the versatile playmaker gears up for Saturday’s URC semi-final against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
The 25-year-old scored 14 points, including a stunning solo try, in a 42-33 quarter-final win for the Herd over Edinburgh in Pretoria last week.
“I’m really enjoying my rugby at the moment,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “I feel like I’ve found form at the right time and I’m just glad I could contribute [against Edinburgh]. As you can see, the spirits were quite high in that second half, so yeah, I was just happy to pull it through.”
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Johannes credits Jake White for boosting his confidence as the Bulls’ go-to goal kicker: “I know the last two games I probably had a few hiccups with the kicking, but Coach Jake spoke to me at half time and it was really nice to hear that he’s backing me.”
Originally a back-up at scrumhalf and flyhalf on a 6-2 bench this season, Johannes has stepped up and made the No 10 jumper his own during Johan Goosen’s injury setbacks.
“Obviously there’s got to be pressure; everyone looks to you at 10 [during difficult times],” Johannes said.
“But I have to say that I’m enjoying it. I thrive in the position and I just try to do my best.”
Looking ahead, Johannes is eager to grow in the role, even with the return to Loftus of two-time Springbok world champion Handre Pollard next season. “It’s going to be packed in both of those positions [scrumhalf and flyhalf,” he added.
“But at the moment, I feel like I can bring a lot in the 10 jersey. That’s where the team needs me at the moment and I’d like to thrive there.”
Facing a confident Sharks side, Johannes says the Bulls are focused: “Everyone has a job to do, and the mood is quite good. We just need to win these games and everything will be fine.”
On the possibility of a penalty shootout to the Sharks’ quarter-final win against Munster last week , Johannes added: “It’s a regular for a goal kicker to be kicking goals at training. Eventually, it will click.”
Photo: Euan Cherry/Getty Images