Have South African coaches finally figured out how to win in Europe, or have we simply found coaches who know how to get the best out of their players through their game plans?

The question comes after the last three weeks of some seriously lekker URC rugby, with a sneaky Champions Cup weekend thrown into the mix as well. Three of our four South African franchises are really starting to cook, making us proud of the clubs we support and, more importantly, giving us South Africans another reason to be as cocky as we like on social media.

Also read: Stormers, Bulls and Sharks claim URC wins in contrasting fashion

Three South African sides currently occupy the second, third and fourth places on the URC log, with an undefeated Glasgow Warriors sitting pretty at the top. Then there’s the Lions, who have had a particularly difficult period, both on and off the field. They’ve been travelling while dealing with some incredibly emotional circumstances, and I think there’s room to give them a little breathing space.

But the reason I’m particularly excited about this turnaround is simple: the new coaching direction at the Bulls and Sharks.

The Bulls have always had the players, and let’s not even get started on the Sharks, who at one stage looked as though they’d bought about 70% of the Springbok squad. Yet both franchises, particularly the Sharks, have struggled to find their feet at the start of URC campaigns, especially when their Springboks were away on international duty or being rested.

It often felt as though management just couldn’t get those teams into the next gear. It was frustrating to watch, and even more frustrating trying to defend them.

The Sharks, in particular, have had seasons where they looked completely lost. They’d win the odd derby or pull off a lekker away victory, only to follow it up with four consecutive defeats. The Bulls, meanwhile, always had the talent pool and youngsters to keep things ticking over while their Springboks were busy doing Springbok things. But they too seemed to be slow starters, only really finding their rhythm towards the business end of the season.

So why am I bringing all of this up?

Is it because I’m a Stormers supporter, Westley, and just want to talk kak about the other franchises?

Not quite.

It’s because I’m suddenly starting to take notice, and if I’m honest, I’m getting a little worried that my Stormers are going to have to work a whole lot harder to get past our Pretoria and coastal rivals. Let’s start with the Bulls.

When Johan Ackermann was appointed head coach, I think most of us got a little excited. Johan has a history of bringing ‘gees’ into a team and getting players to fight for one another. That golden generation of Lions players was something special. They played with an identity, a belief and a togetherness that made everyone sit up and take notice.

Of course, it takes time. New coaches need to find their feet, get their assistant coaches settled and implement their own systems and playing philosophies. Ackermann had some success towards the latter stages of last season, culminating in an impressive semi-final victory. But it still felt as though something was missing. The Bulls weren’t quite the finished product.

Yet.

Until the start of this season.

And can I just say, GOEIE DONNER!

This Bulls team isn’t just making fokking noise; they’re making more waves than Sun City. They seem to have developed an appetite for putting teams away, sometimes long before the half-time whistle has even blown.

Yes, they’ve had moments in second halves where they’ve taken their foot off the accelerator, but they seem to find another gear when it matters and get the job done.

What stands out most is how connected this team looks. They play as though they know each other like the back of their hands. There’s trust, there’s confidence and, most importantly, there’s a ‘gees’ about them that you simply cannot buy with all the French club money in the world.

So, is Ackermann’s plan finally starting to unfold?

Because, as a Stormers supporter, I’m finding the prospect of our next derby against them both exciting and slightly nerve-racking. Then, of course, there’s our flashy black-and-white franchise: the Sharks.

Goeie donner, haven’t they had us scratching our heads over the last few seasons?

“What’s going on there?”

For a team with that much talent, they were losing games that, on paper, should never have been lost. Then came JP, who showed some promise and enjoyed a few moments of success before things seemed to go backwards again. Last season was another disappointing campaign, and there was very little to suggest that things were about to change.

Well, fok me.

This season has been a different story altogether.

These boys are winning big games. They’re picking up away victories that are difficult for just about anyone in this competition. Their defensive performances have been particularly impressive, and that sort of defensive commitment comes from trusting your teammates, believing in the systems and being willing to put your body on the line for the bloke next to you.

JP has also shown a willingness to back his youngsters, and he’s done so from the start. That’s bringing a different kind of energy into the squad. Young players are being given opportunities, taking them and seemingly growing in confidence with every outing.

Like the Bulls, the Sharks are starting to make some serious noise. And we’re taking notice. We’re even finding ourselves staying up a little later to watch these teams play. That’s saying something! The Lions, meanwhile, remain a little inconsistent. But given the difficult circumstances they’ve faced, I think there’s an argument for giving them some time. Perhaps the November break will give the squad an opportunity to regroup, recharge and get their heads right. I’d rather judge where they stand once rugby gets going again.

Also read: Lange shines but Lions’ road woes persist in Glasgow defeat

But perhaps the bigger picture here is that we’re starting to see what a difference the right coaching environment can make.

It’s not necessarily about having the biggest names or the most Springboks in your squad. It’s about getting players to buy into a philosophy, trusting the youngsters to do their jobs and creating an environment where everyone understands their role. When that starts happening, you see it on the field. The confidence grows, the performances improve and suddenly those difficult away fixtures don’t look quite as intimidating.

And let’s be honest, it’s just lekker to watch.

So, let the Boks go and have some fun in November. Let the players enjoy a well-earned break, and when the URC fires up again, at least we know we’ve got some proper rugby to look forward to.

As for my Stormers, well, I hope they’ve been paying attention.

Because the neighbours are starting to look rather dangerous.

Fok, dis rugby!

Westley is a passionate rugby supporter who loves a good scrum and side step. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.