We won't give up, says Bulls coach Johan Ackermann after fifth consecutive loss

The Pretoria franchise was in the lead for much of the contest and were five points up going into the final ten minutes. But an inspired comeback from the Sharks saw the hosts score two tries, consigning the Bulls to their fifth loss in a row across the URC and Champions Cup.

Ackermann refused to blame the players for the loss and understands the frustration felt by the Bulls' faithful.

"We understand that our supporters will feel let down, but sometimes you go through struggles for a reason," he said.

"People who are struggling because they do not have work, and do not have food. They keep on going, so how can we give up? We won't, and I felt our players fought to the end.

"I can't fault the effort. The players kept fighting right to the end. But when you lose, there are things you have to fix. People want results, and that's what we need to deliver.

"We have to learn quickly. The effort is there - now we need to turn pressure into points."

To be fair, the Bulls did exert huge pressure on the Sharks. Their powerful pack earned several scrum penalties throughout the fixture and while Springbok Handre Pollard slotted four from the tee, errors prevented the Bulls from scoring any tries.

"We got penalties from the scrum, kicked to the line-out, and then we'd lose the lineout or lose the breakdown a phase or two later," added Ackermann.

"We didn't use our opportunities. That's the reality. In the second half, we got turnovers and some reward, but we didn't capitalise. Two or three phases later, we'd give the ball away again.

"Then there were crucial moments - a penalty on halfway, a breakdown, an aerial contest - and suddenly we were pushed back and they scored.

"It's one of those things that's hard to explain. The harder you try, it feels like nothing wants to come your way. Every little bounce, every 50-50 decision, it just didn't go for us."