Latest news with #JakeWhite
France 24
6 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Former Springbok Ackermann succeeds White as Bulls coach
The Pretoria outfit have reached three of the four United Rugby Championship (URC) finals since South African sides were admitted to a competition including teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy. Bulls lost finals to fellow South Africans the Stormers in 2022, Glasgow Warriors in 2024 and Leinster this year. Soon after the heavy defeat by Leinster in Dublin last month, 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White quit as Bulls boss, saying the "time had come for a new voice". Ackermann, 55, formerly coached the Johannesburg-based Lions for four seasons, Gloucester in England and the Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan before returning to South Africa last year. He is currently in Italy, assisting South Africa in the world under-20 championship, where they have reached the final against New Zealand. "The moment I received the call I got goose bumps," said Ackermann, who was capped 13 times by the Springboks over 12 seasons from 1996. "It still feels too good to be true. I am like someone going to school for the first time. I am so excited. It is a privilege and an honour." The Bulls launch their 2025/26 URC campaign against Welsh visitors the Ospreys on September 27, then host Leinster seven days later.
The South African
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Bulls replace Jake White with former Springbok
The Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach as replacement for the recently sacked Jake White. Image: SA Rugby Home » Bulls replace Jake White with former Springbok The Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach as replacement for the recently sacked Jake White. Image: SA Rugby The Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach. The three-time South African Coach of the Year comes to Loftus Versfeld with elite-level experience, having coached both locally and overseas, most recently with the South African under-20s. 'He's the right person at the right time,' said Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. 'He's a Carlton League legend, he played his first Test at Loftus, he played for the Bulls … his blood is blue. This was always meant to be. His management of people and ability to drive culture are renowned.' It was a view echoed by Edgar Rathbone, the chief executive of the Blue Bulls Company. 'Johan Ackermann is not just an outstanding coach; he is a leader who lives and breathes the values of this union. His reputation for forging powerful team cultures, developing players to their full potential, and delivering results at the highest level is well proven. 'The Vodacom Bulls are a club built on legacy and ambition, and with Johan at the helm, we are confident our future will be shaped by excellence, resilience, and unity. This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Bulls rugby, and we are thrilled to welcome him home.' Speaking from Italy, where he is assisting the Junior Springboks ahead of the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship, Ackermann described his appointment as a dream come true. 'The moment I received the call I got goose bumps – it still feels too good to be true. I'm like a Grade One going to school for the first time. I'm so excited; it's a privilege and an honour.' 'It's a great union with wonderful tradition and supporters. Eighty percent of my friends are Bulls supporters. The Vodacom Bulls have been successful for so many years, and now I have that challenge and I would like to thank the Board for giving me that opportunity. It's a bit different to myprevious roles where I had to help build teams up. The Bulls are already there – now I must make them grow and succeed even more.' Ackermann's journey through rugby is one of resilience, transformation, and quiet authority. Born in Benoni in 1970, he forged a robust playing career as a lock, earning 13 Test caps for the Springboks between 1996 and 2007. His relentless physicality and grit made him a formidable presence, and his final appearance at age 37 crowned him the oldest debutante in Springbok history. After retiring in 2008, Ackermann transitioned seamlessly into coaching, beginning with the Lions in Johannesburg. Initially appointed as forwards coach, he took over as head coach in 2013, and ushered in a bold new era. Under his stewardship, the Lions reached two consecutive Super Rugby finals. His teams played expansive, high-tempo rugby grounded in discipline and player empowerment. He cultivated a culture of respect and trust, transforming overlooked talent into Springboks and rekindling pride in the Lions jersey. Ackermann's tactical acumen and emotional intelligence earned him acclaim and international recognition. He led the SA 'A' side in 2016 and 2017 before joining Gloucester in England, where he guided the club to a Challenge Cup final and a Premiership semi-final. In Japan, he continued to leave his mark with the Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks, bringing cohesion and values-based leadership to diverse squads. Ackermann returned to South African rugby earlier this year as a coaching consultant for the SA under-20s. His influence extends far beyond the field. Steeped in faith and shaped by his time in the police force, he values character and resilience as deeply as tactics. Whether developing young talent or rebuilding team identity, he remains a coach who builds champions, and good men, at the same time. Ackermann will be formally unveiled to the media in Pretoria next week. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Time for Bulls to take hands and sing 'Kumbaya' after Jake White's ugly departure
Jake White and the Bulls have parted ways after rumours of dressing room split. Image: Backpagepix COMMENT It remains to be seen whether the Bulls will now sit in a circle, hold hands and sing Kumbaya following the departure of director of rugby Jake White. Reports of ugly infighting and a player revolt had been rife over the past few months. And, after weeks of speculation, White has left the Bulls after five years in charge of the franchise. It was widely reported, following last month's United Rugby Championship final — won 32–7 by Leinster — that a number of Bulls players were unhappy with White's post-match comments. White essentially said that the players at his disposal were not good enough to compete with the likes of the Irish giants. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading This reportedly sparked a player revolt, led by captain Ruan Nortje and Springbok Marcell Coetzee, who also raised concerns about White's management style. There were additional rumours of a major fallout between White and assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Andries Bekker. The Bulls' once-celebrated team culture seems fractured, with White clearly at the centre of the dressing-room drama. The Bulls kept things respectful in their announcement of his departure, praising his contributions over the last five years. White, too, avoided criticism, signing off his farewell with a nostalgic 'hou die blou bol! (hold the blue ball)' Ironically, White's long-standing call for more Springbok reinforcements was finally answered this week — just after his exit. The Bulls announced a raft of signings to bolster the URC outfit ahead of next season. They have acquired the services of veteran centre Jan Serfontein, Springbok locks Marvin Orie and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, and Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet. Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard is also set to return to Pretoria next season. The side also confirmed that star Bok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to the kraal from his loan spell in Japan. Arendse reportedly ignored White's calls while abroad and failed to return in time to be considered for the URC playoffs. The Bulls are still weighing up their options for a new coach, with former Lions boss Johan Ackermann and Bath's Johann van Graan among the names being mentioned as possible replacements.
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: New signings at Bulls raise expectations on new coach
The Bulls' new signings bolster an already strong team and with Jake White gone, the new coach will face the blame if success isn't achieved. Jake White and one of his potential replacements at the Bulls, Franco Smith, who currently coaches Glasgow Warriors. Picture: Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images The winds of change are blowing at the Bulls with the departure of head coach Jake White, a new coach on the horizon, and a slew of experienced players set to join the ranks next season. Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone said he hopes to replace White by the end of July, and it is expected that one of a handful of candidates will take the helm. But they may hesitate before steering the ship in a whole new direction. Hard act to follow Since White joined the Pretoria union in 2020, he helped the Bulls win the Super Rugby Unlocked title, Rainbow Cup SA title, and reach three United Rugby Championship finals and one quarter-final. The Bulls were South Africa's most successful club in this period. But discontent among players and assistant coaches, and some strong opinions uttered by White regarding the status quo, trumped his success. Austrian philosopher and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl wrote, 'When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.' And so White was realistic and humble in his exit. Rather than fighting the board, he left by mutual consent, saying the club needed a 'new voice'. Springbok signings mean new Bulls coach has little excuse The Bulls' new signings include Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard, former Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, and locks Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Marvin Orie. Pollard will resolve the Bulls' flyhalf problem after it came into sharp focus thanks to the long lay-off of the perennially-injured Johan Goosen this season. Goosen, who has one year left of his contract, admitted it was a good signing for the club. Serfontein will bring experience and flair to the midfield. Playing predominantly at inside centre, fans could see him alternate with Harold Vorster in the position, with Stedman Gans or David Kriel on the outside, and Canan Moodie shifting to wing, where he is often more dangerous anyway. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg and Marvin Orie are interesting signings after Bulls captain Ruan Nortjé had to adapt to flanker due to a glut of talent that was already in the second row. Cobus Wiese, Reinhardt Ludwig, Ruan Vermaak, JF van Heerden and Sintu Manjezi will have to work all the harder to earn their spots in the new season. Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet joins the ranks too. After sharing the number nine spot with Stefan Ungerer and Herschel Jantjies at the Cape Town union, he will do the same with Embrose Papier and Zak Burger at the Bulls. All this while Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse returns from his Japan Sabbatical. The new signings add to an already experienced and battle-hardened squad. They will be expected to achieve greatness next season. Anything less will be blamed on the new coach.
Reuters
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Brumbies brothers eye another famous Lions upset
MELBOURNE, July 8 (Reuters) - The Lonergan brothers will look to help the ACT Brumbies pull off another improbable win over the British & Irish Lions on Wednesday, 12 years after cheering from the terraces as the Super Rugby team stunned the touring side in Canberra. Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan, 27, captains the Brumbies at Canberra Stadium while his 25-year-old brother Lachlan, capped eight times for Australia, starts at hooker against Andy Farrell's men. The Brumbies became the first provincial team to beat the Lions in 16 years when World Cup-winning coach Jake White orchestrated a 14-12 win over Warren Gatland's side in 2013. "I still remember it. I think I was sitting over there somewhere when I was a little fella," Ryan Lonergan told reporters on Tuesday, gesturing at the southern end of Canberra Stadium. "Pretty sure (Lachlan) was probably eating a pie or something. "When we got up over the Lions, (it was) such a memorable moment even as a fan. "So to be able to do it tomorrow as a player (would be) super special and the boys are really excited." The Brumbies draw pride from their record against the Lions. In 2001, they came close to beating Graham Henry's side with only a late Matt Dawson conversion lifting the Lions to a 30-28 win. Stephen Larkham was assistant coach to White during the 2013 upset and as the Brumbies' current head coach will guide a similarly understrength team on Wednesday. Most of their best players are at the Wallabies camp with Joe Schmidt, preparing for the July 19 series-opener against the Lions in Brisbane. One Wallaby will be starting for the Brumbies, though, just three days after coming off the bench in the 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle. The abrasive Tom Hooper will be starting blindside flanker, while his 21-year-old brother Lachlan, also a loose forward, has a chance to make his Brumbies debut off the bench. "Hoops, he's a machine," Lonergan said of the 24-year-old Wallaby. "So I'm sure he probably would have played 80 (minutes) and he would have been keen to come back and play. "Special night for him as well to be able to play alongside his brother." Long Australia's best-performing team in Super Rugby, the Brumbies will be tasked with softening up a Lions selection that may be the closest to Farrell's side for the first test. On paper, the Brumbies are massively outgunned but their players have taken note of how the lightly-regarded New South Wales Waratahs proved disruptive in a 21-10 defeat by the Lions in Sydney on Saturday. "Nobody gave them a shot and they made it a really uncomfortable night for the lads," said Lonergan. "They went really hard at the breakdown .... sort of made a mess of it there and if you can do that and disrupt their game a bit, I think it goes a long way to putting yourself in the fight."
