Latest news with #NewBulls
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Confirmed: Johan Ackermann keeps Jake White's assistants
New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has retained the assistant coaches who served under his predecessor, Jake White. According to The Citizen, there was speculation about whether the former Lions, Gloucester and Urayasu coach would shake things up at the Bulls following White's divisive final weeks at the Pretoria union, the assistant coaches' role in his removal, and the potential redundancy of forwards coach Andries Bekker. Ackermann keeps Bekker under contract The Bulls were South Africa's most successful union under White, reaching three United Rugby Championship finals in the last four years. But after this season's final defeat to Leinster, White told media he simply could not beat the Irish side with the players he had. It later emerged that players and coaches were unhappy with White's leadership, which followed a more top-down and autocratic style. Assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Bekker led the way in taking players' grievances directly to the board, which ultimately agreed to part ways with White last month. It did not take long to replace him. Ackermann wrapped up his time consulting the Junior Springboks following their World Rugby U20 Championship win and, on the same day he returned to South Africa, paid a visit to Loftus Versfeld. New Bulls boss brings a different approach Ackermann's coaching career is also filled with accolades – including three SA coach of the year awards and another in Japan – as well as several tournament final defeats. However, he brings a more unified and open approach to coaching. He told media in his first press conference that he wanted to hear players' opinions but made it clear they would still need to earn their places. Earlier today, the Bulls confirmed to The Citizen that Ackermann has opted to keep White's coaching staff under contract. This is especially notable for Bekker, as Ackermann was expected to take a more hands-on role with the forwards – a department where he has previously been instrumental. Ackermann also said he would observe Phiwe Nomlomo as he continues coaching the Bulls' Currie Cup side before making any tactical suggestions. The Bulls currently top the Currie Cup log with 10 points from their first two games. They hammered the Sharks 64–0 at Loftus over the weekend, following a 48–23 win against Western Province in Cape Town the week before.
The Citizen
04-08-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Confirmed: Ackermann retains coaches who served under Jake White
Johan Ackermann has kept his predecessor's assistant coaches under contract despite a potential role redundancy. New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has retained the assistant coaches who served under his predecessor, Jake White. There was speculation whether the former Lions, Gloucester and Urayasu coach would shake things up at the Bulls after White's divisive final weeks at the Pretoria union, the assistant coaches' role in his removal, and the potential redundancy of forwards coach Andries Bekker. Ackermann keeps Bekker under contract The Bulls were the most successful union in South Africa under White, reaching three United Rugby Championship finals in the last four years. But after this season's final defeat to Leinster, White told media he simply could not beat the Irish side with the players he had. It emerged that players and coaches were unhappy with White's leadership, which had a more top-down and autocratic style. Assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Bekker in fact, led the way by taking players' grievances above White's head directly to the board, who mutually agreed to part ways with the coach last month. It did not take the Bulls long to replace White. Ackermann wrapped up his time consulting the Junior Springboks with their World Rugby U20 Championship win and on the same day he arrived back in South Africa, paid Loftus a visit. New Bulls boss brings a different approach His own coaching career is also speckled with accolades (three times SA coach of the year, and one more in Japan) and defeats in tournament finals. But Ackermann brings a more unified and open approach to coaching. He told media in his first press conference that he wanted to hear the opinions of his players, but needed them to know that he was still in charge and they had to earn their places. On Monday, the Bulls confirmed with The Citizen that Ackermann has opted to keep White's previous coaches under contract. This is especially important for Bekker, after Ackermann was expected to take a more hands-on approach with the forwards, where he has been instrumental in his previous teams. He also said he will watch Phiwe Nomlomo coach the Bulls' Currie Cup side for a while before making suggestions about their tactics. Currently, the Bulls lead the Currie Cup log with 10 points from their first two games. They smashed the Sharks 64–0 at Loftus on the weekend to follow up their 48-23 win against the Western Province in Cape Town the week before.
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ackermann says he's ‘not different, only more streetwise' since his Lions days
New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says he is not a different coach, but a more streetwise and experienced one than he was before. New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said he has become more 'streetwise and experienced,' learning about player management and the value of inclusivity in the seven years since he left the Lions. Ackermann led the Lions to Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017 before joining Gloucester and reaching the 2018 Challenge Cup final. He later coached in Japan, guiding Urayasu to Division 1 promotion in 2022, and recently consulted with the Junior Springboks, who won this year's World Championship. While in Japan, he earned the Division 2 Coach of the Year award, adding to his three South African Coach of the Year honours. Ackers learns much overseas Now back in South Africa, Ackermann said he aims to build a healthy, value-driven culture at the Bulls centred on mutual respect, humility, service, and teamwork — getting the best out of players while ensuring they enjoy what they do. 'I wouldn't say different,' he said when asked how he had changed since his Lions tenure. 'Maybe more streetwise, a bit more experienced. A bit more wary of how important it is to include different cultures.' He also highlighted the importance of players understanding the demands of modern rugby, especially extensive travel and adapting to team systems. 'Culture was the big thing [overseas]. You had All Blacks. They wanted a certain style; they wanted to play a certain way. Then you had an English player, then you had a Scottish player… 'So to create that unity and to also put your stamp on it, it took a lot of convincing. You have to really be strong on your principles and how you want to play, and also allow them to have input.' Ackermann balances being fun and being hands-on Ackermann said coaching the Lions was easier due to a fresh group that was more willing to be moulded the way he and Swys de Bruin wanted. At Gloucester and in Japan, he worked with strong personalities and internationals like Liam Gill, Israel Folau, and Greig Laidlaw. 'You have to learn as a coach that sometimes you can learn from them as well. There are good inputs there.' Still, he believes the team's direction must come from the coach. On his current role, he said Phiwe Nomlomo had led the Currie Cup side well and he didn't want to overshadow him. 'It will be a good opportunity for me to be on the back seat… then I can start sharing how I see things.' 'I think to be yourself is the best thing. To bring a bit of dancing and a bit of laughter and a bit of music. Everybody enjoys that, doesn't matter what culture they are.'
