Latest news with #VodacomBulls
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Johan Ackermann returns home to lead the Vodacom Bulls
Benoni-born Johan Ackermann has been appointed as the new head coach of the Vodacom Bulls—an opportunity he described as a dream come true. 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 U20s. Ackermann, currently in Italy assisting the Junior Springboks ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship final, reacted to his appointment in a press statement issued by the Vodacom Blue Bulls. 'The moment I received the call, I got goosebumps! 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 a wonderful tradition and incredible supporters. Eighty percent of my friends are Bulls supporters. The Vodacom Bulls have been successful for many years. I now face that challenge, and I must thank the Board for the opportunity. 'It's a bit different from my previous roles, where I had to help build teams up. The Bulls are already there—now I must help them grow and succeed even more,' said Ackermann. Journey 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. Known for his relentless physicality and grit, he became a formidable presence—and when he made his Test debut at age 37, he became the oldest Springbok debutant in 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 U20s. Ackermann's 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 committed to building both champions and men of character. New chapter for Bulls Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union, affirmed, 'He's the right person at the right time.' 'He's a Carlton League legend, he played his first Test at Loftus, and 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.' Strauss's view is echoed by Edgar Rathbone, the chief executive of the Blue Bulls Company. 'Johan 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.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
The Springbok who kept coming back — the making of new Bulls coach Johan Ackermann
Johan Ackermann was named new Bulls coach this past week. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix In 2001, the Cats rugby team was on a Super 12 tour in Australia. On the rowdy bus trip to a training session, something was said that annoyed Johan Ackermann. When the bus broke out in laughter at the offending remark, Ackermann quietly got up and walked to the front of the bus, took the microphone, and sternly said in Afrikaans: 'Make a queue. I don't want to go looking for anyone.' No one moved and the journey continued in reverent silence. That encapsulates the presence commanded by a giant who was mostly gentle, but not always ... 🚨 Official: Johan Ackermann is the new Head Coach of the Vodacom Bulls! 🐃 A former Vodacom Bulls player, Springbok and 3x SA Coach of the Year 🏆 💬 'His blood is blue.' 💬 'A dream come true.' FULL PRESS RELEASE: — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 16, 2025 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 And that reminds me of a Sharks training session I watched in 2005. The forwards were embroiled in a robust mauling session. Suddenly, there was a mighty bellow and from the centre of the maul, players were flung in all directions, like toothpicks, until there was just Johan Ackermann, the epitome of the Incredible Hulk. Except his face was red, not green. Somebody (surely mistakenly) had grabbed the big man in the nether region, and the response was volcanic. Ackermann was from the old school, a throwback to the amateur era of Springbok invincibility when rugby was a peace-time form of warfare, a theatre in which men aspired to the virtues of courage, loyalty and brotherhood. Johan Ackermann during his playing days for the Springboks. Ackermann played 13 Test for SA. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Men like Ackermann, who was an anachronism in the modern era, where many are pampered prima donnas. Consider that this guy's career spanned an incredible two decades – his final match, for the Sharks against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in 2008, was 20 years after he had made his debut on the same ground for Northern Transvaal Under-20. He had shoulder surgery four times, knee surgery twice, a serious neck problem, and a two-year suspension for use of a banned substance. He had careers with the Bulls, Lions, Cats, Sharks and Griquas, and played club rugby in Italy and England. He had three separate Springbok careers, with five-year exiles in between each stint. He was the oldest man to play for the Springboks (37) until overtaken by Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits (both 38). After finishing at the Sharks, for good measure, he played two seasons of club rugby for Cape Town club Hamiltons. Canan Moodie with the unthinkable... Bumped off Ox Nche 🤯 Who wins that rematch? 👇@Vodacom #URC — Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) July 17, 2025 Like that Old Man River in the famous song about the Mississippi, Ackermann kept rolling on, occasionally tumbling down waterfalls, recovering to shoot the rapids. So Ackermann's career went full circle — he tapered off at club rugby, which was where he started with Pretoria Police after finishing school in Benoni in 1987. 'And what days they were,' he told me in 2009. 'We used to eat steak and chips on a Friday night before a game, washed down with beer. Now it is Powerade and pasta! 'I had no rugby pedigree when I started but found myself in a Police team that was packed with Bulls,' he recalled. 'There was tremendous camaraderie, and that is why I chose to finish at club level, so that my family could experience the fun of a Saturday afternoon at the club, with the kids kicking a ball around and the braai afterwards. 'I wish more youngsters would continue with rugby after school so that they can experience the social side of rugby.' Ackermann's early days in Pretoria's unforgiving Carlton Cup moulded him into a no-quarter-given type of lock. 'Half the armed forces were stationed in Pretoria at that time and club rugby was bloody fierce,' he recalled. 'You had to dish it out and you had to take it. If the opposition wavered, you had them. That was how we won the games against the students — we won the fights,' he laughed. But this Sherman tank ploughing through the opposition is at odds with the silent giant off the field. 'When I put on the jersey, it is like putting on armour for battle,' he explained. 'Afterwards, I take the armour off and shake hands. But for the 80 minutes, the opposition is the enemy and they must lose. Simple! 'Playing rugby is more than sport,' he continued. 'It is about loyalty to your mates and the spectators. Can you look in the mirror if you have not given your all?' It was on August 3, 1996, that Ackermann's life changed. It was the Springboks versus the Wallabies in Bloemfontein in a Tri-Nations match. Ackermann was playing in his fourth Test. At 26, he had the rugby world before him until he was stretchered off with a knee injury. 'I had an operation and the prognosis was that I could play again in three months, but after three weeks the knee was so sore I could hardly walk,' he said gravely. 'A biokineticist at the Police College said he had worked with people recovering from accidents and used a medication that 'kick-started' muscle recovery. I used this stuff just once because it did nothing for the knee, and I forgot about it.' At the beginning of 1997, Ackermann was in a Bok squad announced by Andre Markgraaff for fitness testing. 'Two weeks later I was told I had tested positive for a banned substance.' Ackermann had been given bad advice at a time when sport was still waking up to the perils of steroid use. 'It was a very dark time for me,' he said. 'A two-year sentence for something I used once and which did not help? I was devastated, an emotional wreck at first and then an angry bull. The loss of earnings did not bother me. It was missing out on playing the All Blacks and the British Lions of '97. It was agony to know I should have been part of it, but for a horrible misunderstanding.' The disappointment gave way to a hunger to play again for the Boks. 'I felt obligated to my family, friends and fans to play again. There was unfinished business. I wanted to prove that making the Boks had not been a fluke.' Ackermann was offered a lifeline by former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains, who coached the Lions and Cats in 2000 and 2001. 'Laurie brought discipline to our rugby and our good form helped me to get picked by (Bok coach) Harry Viljoen, and my first Test back (the 20-15 win over France in Durban in 2001) brought immense relief.' Ackermann played four Tests before dislocating a shoulder, underwent surgery and then dislocated it again. 'I was down and out. Nobody wanted to take a chance on my suspect shoulder. Then Andre Markgraaff at Griquas took a gamble and signed me for two years.' Markgraaff believed in Ackermann. He gave him his first Springbok cap in 1996, persuaded Viljoen to pick him in 2001 and he took him in when nobody wanted him in 2003. So in 2004 and 2005, Ackermann played in the Currie Cup for Griquas and during the Super 12 season he played club rugby in Italy. Another former Springbok coach, Rudolf Straeuli, offered Ackermann a contract with the Sharks and by the end of 2006, Ackermann was once more a Springbok under Jake White. 'The third time was like the first time. We toured the UK and Ireland, which I had never done before, and to play at Twickenham for the first time and at that stage of my career was very special.' In two decades, Ackermann went through it all: injuries, suspension, small unions, big unions, a little club in Italy and Northampton Saints in England, and three stints with the Boks. After all of this, what means the most to him? 'Each time I was handed a Springbok jersey I felt overwhelming pride, and if my career can inspire even one player to fight back from adversity, I will have served South African rugby.' Ackermann has had a highly successful career as a coach. He pulled the Lions out of a nosedive and guided them to three Super Rugby finals. He also led Gloucester to success in the English Premiership and coached the Red Hurricanes in Japan. This is an extract from Mike Greenaway's best-selling book, The Fireside Springbok.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackers comes home to lead Bulls at Loftus
After months of speculation, Bulls supporters' time of waiting was over when the Blue Bulls Company (BBCo) announced on Wednesday morning that popular and sought-after coach Johan Ackermann had been appointed as the Bulls' new head coach. For Ackermann, or 'Ackers' as he has been known since his playing days when he made a name for himself as a young policeman for the 'Bobbies' in Pretoria who fulfilled the role of a classic 'enforcer' number-4 lock who did not back down from the tough guys of the ruthless Carlton Cup club league, this appointment is a homecoming after many wanderings. – There were two notable aspects surrounding the BBCo's announcement. * Firstly, it is pertinently stated that Ackermann has been appointed as 'head coach', while Jake White's job description is that of Director of Rugby. * Secondly, no mention is made of the staff – such as assistant coaches etc. – who will assist Ackerman as management team. These aspects will surely be clarified next week when Ackermann will have his first media session in Pretoria. The Bulls' full statement on Ackermann's appointment reads as follows: The Vodacom Bulls are proud to confirm 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. 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,'said Willem Strauss, president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. 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 my previous 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. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Johan Ackermann takes the reins as head coach of the Bulls
Former Lions coach Johan Ackemann will succeed Jake White as coach of the Bulls. Image: BackpagePix Johan Ackermann secured the top job as head coach of the Bulls after the South African franchise named him as Jake White's successor on Wednesday. Ackermann, currently assisting the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship as a consultant, will formally be unveiled next week by the Blue Bulls Company. The former Springbok recently returned home after coaching in England and Japan. Before that, he took the Lions to three consecutive Super Rugby finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Now, though, he will be in the blue colours of the Bulls who have been putting together a formidable squad ahead of the new United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup tournaments. 🚨 Official: Johan Ackermann is the new Head Coach of the Vodacom Bulls! 🐃 A former Vodacom Bulls player, Springbok and 3x SA Coach of the Year 🏆 💬 'His blood is blue.' 💬 'A dream come true.' FULL PRESS RELEASE: — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 16, 2025 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 ✕ 'I got goosebumps when I received the call, it is a dream come true,' Ackermann said from Italy where the Junior Boks are currently preparing for the final against New Zealand. 'It still feels too good to be true. I'm like a Grade 1 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 traditions and supporters. Eighty percent of my friends are Bulls supporters. 'The 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 from my previous roles where I had to help build teams up. The Bulls are already there, now I must make them grow and succeed even more.' 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: The Vodacom Bulls have confirmed the appointment of Johan Ackermann as head coach 🐂#SSRugby — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 16, 2025 Ackermann was crowned South African Coach of the Year three times and brings a wealth of experience to Loftus Versfeld. After the Bulls recently stuttered for the third time in the URC finals, the pressure will be on him in his first season in Pretoria. However, he will embrace the task at hand. Edgar Rathbone, CEO of the Bulls, said they are happy to welcome Ackermann home. 'The 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.'
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘A dream come true,' says Johan Ackermann as he is appointed Bulls coach
The Bulls have moved swiftly to appoint vastly experienced Johan Ackermann as head coach. Ackermann arrives at Loftus to replace Jake White, who left at the beginning of the month. The new coach comes with a wealth of elite-level experience having coached both locally and overseas. The three-time South African coach of the year is currently in Italy, where he is assisting the Junior Springboks ahead of the final of Saturday's World Rugby Under-20 Championship against New Zealand. He described the appointment as a dream come true. 'The moment I received the call I got goosebumps — it still feels too good to be true. I am like a grade one [pupil] going to school for the first time. I'm so excited, it's a privilege and an honour,' Ackermann was quoted as saying in a Bulls statement. 🚨 Official: Johan Ackermann is the new Head Coach of the Vodacom Bulls! 🐃 A former Vodacom Bulls player, Springbok and 3x SA Coach of the Year 🏆 💬 'His blood is blue.' 💬 'A dream come true.' FULL PRESS RELEASE: #ForeverBlue — Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 16, 2025 'It's a great union with wonderful tradition and supporters. Eighty percent of my friends are Bulls supporters. The 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 my previous roles where I had to help build teams up. The Bulls are already there, now I must make them grow and succeed even more.' Blue Bulls Rugby Union president Willem Strauss said Ackerman is 'the right person at the right time.' 'He's a Carlton League [Pretoria club rugby] legend, he played his first Test at Loftus, he played for the Bulls and his blood is blue. This was always meant to be. His management of people and ability to drive culture are renowned.' Strauss' sentiments were shared by Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone. '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 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.' The Bulls said Ackermann's 'journey through rugby is one of resilience, transformation and authority'. 'Born in Benoni in 1970, he forged a robust playing career as a lock and earned 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 debutant in Springbok history.'
