Keagan Johannes excited for Bulls flyhalf opportunity

Bulls halfback Keagan Johannes is excited for the opportunity to lead the Bulls from pivot, possibly through the United Rugby Championship (URC) knockouts, after Johan Goosen picked up a serious looking knee injury against Cardiff over the past weekend.

The Bulls steamrolled the Welsh visitors 45-21 at Loftus, with two late tries in the final 10 minutes making the scoreline more respectable for Cardiff, but they had already been well beaten after a brutal opening 52 minutes from the home side.

Johannes, who is a scrumhalf by trade, entered the fray as early as the 11^th minute, with the Bulls 10-0 up, after the incredibly injury prone Goosen was stretchered off with another major looking injury to his glass knees, and proceeded to slot all five of his conversion attempts.

It also isn’t the first time this season that he has been deployed at flyhalf by the Bulls, with him given a run along with Springbok fullback Willie le Roux not too long ago when Goosen was out with a different injury, and impressed on a couple of occasions.

With Le Roux preferred at fullback, and replacement flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain having not been in the first team frame for a while now, it is likely that Johannes will be backed in the position over the rest of the season, if Goosen is ruled out as expected.

It will thus be another good opportunity for the budding 25-year-old halfback talent to prove his worth, and he is eager to show what he can do, admitting that he had been assisted by Goosen recently.

Great opportunity

“I see it as a great opportunity. I have been playing the position for a while. Especially on (the recent overseas) tour. I have learnt a lot from Goose and still continue to learn from him. He’s guiding me very well,” explained Johannes.

“It’s a big opportunity to step into that space. I feel that I’ve been competing with the top flyhalves in the country this season. I’m not far off from where I should be. There is always room for improvement, but I believe I’ve done well so far.”

Johannes said he has been trying to be more vocal on the field and add his voice when coming on in the number 10 jersey, as it is an important position that has an added responsibility.

“There is a lot of responsibility at flyhalf. As a number nine, you understand what a flyhalf wants and vice versa. Everyone on the pitch helps each other and we know what plans we need to execute,” said Johannes.

“We saw this weekend when I went on early to replace Goose. Everyone is calm and helpful when I’m in the flyhalf position. When things aren’t going well the team expects the flyhalf to make good decisions and drive the team forward.

“I feel that I’ve been chatting more and trying to become that extra coach on the field alongside Willie le Roux.”

The Bulls close out their pool phase against the bottom of the table Dragons at Loftus on Saturday, and are set to finish second on the log, which will secure them at least two home playoffs if they make it to second straight URC final, and third in four seasons.