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The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Former Lions star backs Ackermann to win trophies at Bulls
Kwagga Smith said Johan Ackermann has the ability to unite players under a single purpose. Johan Ackermann (Coaching Consultant) during the South Africa Academy U20 training session at Van der Stel Fields on February 05, 2025 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo by Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images) Springbok star Kwagga Smith said he has much respect for his former Lions coach, Johan Ackermann, and believes he will win trophies now that he is at the Bulls. Ackermann joined the Pretoria union following the departure of Jake White, who had coached the Bulls for five years. White and the Bulls mutually agreed to part ways after he fell out of favour with players and coaches. During his tenure, White helped the Bulls win the Super Rugby Unlocked title, Rainbow Cup SA title, and reach three United Rugby Championship finals and one quarter-final. Ackermann, by contrast, has been named SA Coach of the Year three times (2014–2016). He guided the Lions to Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017 before joining Gloucester in England. He also coached in Japan and, most recently, has consulted for the Junior Boks. 'He's the right person at the right time,' said Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, while CEO Edgar Rathbone also gave the new coach his support. Smith: Ackermann will unite Bulls Smith, who played under Ackermann during those golden years in Joburg, echoed those thoughts. 'I think he is a really brilliant coach,' Smith said. 'I enjoyed working with him. I was a youngster and played under him for a long while. 'Unlucky we couldn't get a Super Rugby title, but he's a really good coach. I think he's a coach who has the ability to get a group together all aligned for the same goal. I think that's really important.' Smith spent his first five years of professional rugby at the Lions before leaving for Japan in the same year Ackermann departed. Still, he believes 'Coach Ackers' has the managerial prowess to secure the support of players and translate that to performances on the field. 'He'll probably make a big success of his career at the Bulls. I think the players that are there are really brilliant. I think he will be able to get them aligned and hopefully win a few trophies. I am really excited to see him there and see how he does.' Ackermann described the move to the Bulls as a dream come true. 'The moment I received the call I got goose bumps,' he said. '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.'
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.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Bulls' action trumps Lions' inaction in quest for URC glory
The Bulls have removed Director of Rugby Jake White, while the Lions have yet to announce their coaching structure for the next season of the URC. The Bulls' action, in swiftly showing Director of Rugby Jake White the door at the slightest bit of discontent, is in stark contrast to the Lions' inaction in keeping things the same, despite their struggles in the United Rugby Championship (URC). It would be unkind to say former Springbok World Cup winning coach White hasn't enjoyed a relatively successful spell at the Bulls since arriving at the union in 2020. He guided them to the Super Rugby Unlocked title during Covid, as well as the Rainbow Cup SA title, which was a prelude to the URC, although they lost the overall playoff to Benetton Treviso, while they also picked up Currie Cup trophies in 2020 and 2021. But arguably his biggest achievement was the remarkable consistency he fostered for the Bulls in the URC, with them making three finals and one quarterfinals appearance in their four seasons in the competition. However, the Bulls were unable to lift the title, finishing runner-up each time, with their best chance coming when they hosted the final in 2024, but unfortunately slipped up against Glasgow Warriors. Ivan van Rooyen of the Lions. Picture: Gallo Images Final straw Funnily enough it was a loss in the final that they were least likely to win, against Irish giants Leinster this past season, that proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back, with him suffering a fallout with senior coaches and players at the union, possibly due to some of his recent utterances. Compare that with the Lions, who have in four seasons in the URC finished outside of the playoff places each time, ending 12th, ninth twice and 11th over their most recent campaign. It must be said that the Lions have been unable to lure major talent to the union over this time, while many of their best young stars which have risen through the ranks, have left to greener pastures, making things incredibly difficult for coach Ivan van Rooyen. But each team that they have had available in every URC season so far, has had the potential to at least make the top eight, but have been unable to. After missing out again this past season it seems there may now be a coaching shake up, but to what extent is still unknown, with rumours circulating that it may just be a reshuffle among the current group.
