It’s all about ‘micro-comms’ for Bulls flyhalf Keagan Johannes in Munster URC clash

Is Keagan Johannes a flyhalf or scrumhalf? That is the question that has been on the lips of many Bulls fans this season.

But the playmaker from Mamre in the Western Cape is clear that he is thrilled about the challenge of making the Bulls tick on attack.

That journey will continue in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash against Munster in Limerick (6.15pm start).

Johannes was brought in at a critical stage into the pivot berth by coach Jake White a few weeks ago following the long-term injury to Johan Goosen, and then stop-gap measure Willie le Roux returned to fullback and then required shoulder surgery.

The 25-year-old Johannes has been waiting a long time for his big break, and he took it with both hands.

He started off steadily in the 21-20 victory over Leinster at Loftus Versfeld, but his almost coming-of-age performance was in the 63-24 thrashing of Zebre in Pretoria a week later.

Johannes was chosen as the Player of the Match, and has continued in the No 10 role in the 32-22 Challenge Cup triumph over Bayonne, and last week’s 34-28 quarter-final loss to Edinburgh.

Ask if he is a scrumhalf or flyhalf during a press conference on Tuesday, Johannes said: “I think a bit of both! I must say that I enjoy it a lot at 10 these days.

“The boys back me. I get a lot of backing from the coaches, and they are giving me the chance to do the things that I am good at – and I can express myself at 10. So, I am enjoying it a lot.

“I did play flyhalf a bit in my matric year, so I don’t think there had to be a big adjustment.

“It was just about getting used to it again, to the position, and that was the biggest thing.”

It was a tough first half for the Bulls at the Hive Stadium last Saturday, though, as they trailed 24-7 at halftime after a wonky lineout and leaky defence led to a series of mistakes in the midst of an up-tempo Edinburgh approach.

Johannes was unlucky to be replaced at halftime by Goosen after not doing much wrong in the opening 40 minutes.

But coach Jake White wanted the Springbok’s experience to drive the team, and they nearly pulled off a last-gasp victory.

The Bulls, though, seem to play their best rugby when they take on the defence with ball-in-hand, and hopefully they’ll adopt that direct approach against Munster, who come off a disappointing 47-29 Champions Cup quarter-final defeat to Bordeaux in France at the weekend.

“A very difficult first half... I think we didn’t execute our plan as well as we wanted to that in first half,” Johannes said about the Edinburgh clash.

“Obviously playing that first half without the ball was quite frustrating.

“At times when we needed to kick, we felt like we had to run because we didn’t have any ball. What we probably learned from that is to stay composed.

“Just do what you have to and what you’ve been training through the week.

“It depends (on whether to keep the ball or play a percentage game against Munster). The thing is... it’s a unit thing.

“Our backs have been working really hard. Coach Chris has been putting a lot of effort in. The backs, it feels like everyone is in sync at times during the game.

“The micro-comms are starting to improve, and it’s getting much better than what it was in the past.

“With that, it just makes everything as a playmaker so much easier for you when you have a lot of comms outside. If you hear something from outside, you back that call.

“I think everyone has started to gain that trust to know if someone wants the ball, they are going to do something with it.”

Johannes hasn’t featured for the Bulls in Ireland previously, but is well aware of what will be required to emerge victorious at Thomond Park, where he could face Ireland playmaker Jack Crowley.

“I wouldn’t say we are nervous. Obviously this past weekend, we didn’t get the result we wanted,” the Bulls flyhalf said.

“But we have to put that behind us now, and only focus on the next job, which is Munster.

“They have been playing very well. But I think we will be ready for them this weekend.

“We started off the week very well. I think we will be ready.

“The biggest thing probably in Ireland is obviously the weather.

“So, game management, playing in the correct areas, and driving the team – not over-playing.

“Ireland is wet most of the time. So, if we can play in the correct areas, it will be key.”