Ludwig scored twice in the Bulls’ 47-13 United Rugby Championship opening win in Parma on Saturday. South Africa’s four franchises all won in round one. The Pretoria side are now in Limerick for their second fixture of the tour.
“We must be better,” the 24-year-old said. He called Munster a good side, especially in the tight, and admitted the Bulls scrum was inconsistent against Zebre.
“It’s probably going to be rainy. The crowd is going to be in your ear. It’s a completely different challenge, and it’s about how you adapt and handle the pressure.”
It will be Ludwig’s second meeting with Munster after the Bulls’ 45-14 quarter-final win at Loftus Versfeld in May. He is pairing with Ruan Vermaak in a young lock combination after Ruan Nortje left the club.
“We have a [lineout] system, not a one-man show. I must know what Ruan Vermaak is doing and he must know what I’m doing.” On following Nortje, he added: “Ruan left big boots to fill. But we’re young, all ambitious, we all want to be where he was. In the deep end is the best way to grow.”
Ludwig also spoke about last season, when he was often left out of the 23. “It wasn’t always sunshine and roses. It hurts when you’re not picked on a Monday to play on a Saturday, and that feeling stuck with me. It motivated me through this pre-season.” Honest talks with the coaches, he said, changed his path. “You never know when you’re going to get another opportunity, so I’m extremely grateful.”
The Bulls’ tries in Parma included a penalty try, Ludwig’s brace, and scores from Paul de Wet, Vermaak, Harold Vorster and Zak Burger. Curwin Bosch kicked four conversions on his URC debut for the club.
Ludwig is taking the campaign “week for week, challenge for challenge.” The next challenge is Munster in the rain and noise of Limerick.