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The Citizen
15 hours 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.'
IOL News
2 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.'
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Dragons RFC European fixtures for 2025/26 campaign announced
Tournament organisers EPCR have confirmed the dates for the pool stages of the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Dragons are set to face French Top 14 heavyweights Lyon and the Newcastle Falcons from the English Premiership at Rodney Parade. The Men of Gwent, playing in Pool 2, kick off their campaign against Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral on Sunday, December 7, with a 2pm local time start. The following weekend will see Filo Tiatia's squad welcome last season's runners-up, Lyon, to Rodney Parade for a 3.15pm kick-off on Sunday, December 14. Round 3 will have the Dragons on the road again, this time facing United Rugby Championship rivals Benetton Rugby at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday, January 10, with a 6.30pm start in local time. The group stages will conclude with a home fixture against Newcastle Falcons on Friday, January 16, under the Rodney Parade lights, with an 8pm kick-off. The EPCR fixtures for the 2025/26 season are as follows: Round 1: Sunday, December 7: USAP vs Dragons RFC, Stade Aimé Giral, 2pm local time. Round 2: Sunday, December 14: Dragons RFC vs Lyon Olympique. Rodney Parade, 3.15pm. Round 3: Saturday, January 10: Benetton Rugby vs Dragons RFC, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 6.30pm local time. Round 4: Friday, January 16: Dragons RFC vs Newcastle Falcons, Rodney Parade, 8pm. In other news, Dragons RFC's Rodrigo Martinez has been selected for the Argentina XV squad for the upcoming international against Romania. The loosehead, after training with the squad, is now part of the selection process for the second fixture. The game will be on Friday, July 18, at Club Atlético San Isidro in Buenos Aires. Argentina, having beaten Brazil 45-17 earlier this month, aim to secure a double in the July international window. Team news will be announced later this week.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Siya Kolisi back to lead new-look Boks against Georgia as Rassie continues to grow depth
Springbok flank Siya Kolisi will play his first Test of 2025 when he captains the side against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday. It's an indication of the Springboks' depth that despite naming three uncapped players for Saturday's clash against Georgia, the squad still boasts more than 900 Test caps. Captain Siya Kolisi returns with his 92 Test caps to bolster the stats, while there is a start for Cobus Wiese at No 8, which looks like the most interesting experiment in coach Rassie Erasmus' latest lineup. In all, the Bok starting XV, which includes an entirely uncapped front row of Boan Venter at loosehead, hooker Marnus van der Merwe and Neethling Fouché at tighthead, has 484 Test caps. Venter has impressed for Edinburgh this year, and Van der Merwe was one of the best players in a competitive Scarlets team during the United Rugby Championship. Their selection also highlights the excellent decision by the South African Rugby Union to allow the Bok coach to select overseas-based players. Eight of these 23 are registered to foreign clubs. The impressive Test cap number is bolstered by the return of lock Eben Etzebeth, who will earn his 133rd cap, while centre Damian de Allende also starts after sitting out the second Test against Italy. Last week, Erasmus favoured an inexperienced bench, with three uncapped players. This week, while the starting XV, outside of Kolisi, Etzebeth, De Allende (88 caps) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (87 caps), has limited experience, he has stacked the bench with proven winners. Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch and Thomas du Toit are the front row reserves. Lock RG Snyman returns, with Kwagga Smith covering the back row options in a traditional 5-3 split between forwards and backs. Faf de Klerk and Handré Pollard provide vast halfback experience while two-time World Cup-winner Damian Willemse completes a formidable bench. With the three newbies, Erasmus has now awarded seven new caps in 2025. Kolisi's return means that the Boks have used 46 players this year already. They continue to build depth while winning. 'We wanted to make sure that Siya is 100% fit before selecting him, so it's great to have him back in the squad, while Boan, Marnus, and Neethling have been training hard and deserve their chance,' said Erasmus. 'Marnus and Neethling played against the Barbarians, so they have an idea of what international rugby is about, while Boan has shown great potential at club level and with the squad in the last few weeks, and we are looking forward to seeing him play. 'Building squad depth has been one of our pillars as a squad since 2018, and they are all undoubtedly ready to make the step-up.' Wiese for Wiese Jasper Wiese, who was red-carded against Italy at the weekend for a headbutt, has been given a four-match ban by World Rugby's disciplinary tribunal. He will miss the next four Bok Tests, which include two home contests against Australia, and the 6 September clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park. He was impressive in the first Test against Italy at Loftus, gaining metres with every carry while also making himself felt in defence. But his moment of madness in the second Test has cost him and the team, and the Boks must now improvise at No 8 if they want the same ball-carrying threat. Cobus Wiese, who started his career at the Stormers as a flank, has been used at lock at the Bulls this season. But he showed enough in the last 20 minutes of the second Test against Italy to suggest a return to the back row might not be a bad move. He was prominent in the loose with some strong carries. The Wieses don't mind the physical stuff. While Cobus Wiese isn't as quick as Evan Roos or Smith, he does pack a punch in contact and can set the tone for winning the gain line battle. It's a huge opportunity for Cobus Wiese, considering everything leads to that massive showdown at Eden Park without Jasper Wiese. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also starts in a Test for the first time since last August, when he led the line against the All Blacks, and has a chance to shine. Manie Libbok's polished performance last week, which was a masterclass in creating opportunities for his outside backs, must give him the inside line for the big Tests later this year. With Aphelele Fassi back at fullback, the return of Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Edwill van der Merwe completing the back three, the attacking potential is salivating. Canan Moodie gets another go at outside centre as Erasmus looks for depth in a position that has belonged exclusively to Jesse Kriel and Lukhanyo Am for the better part of seven years. While the level of the opposition this week and the gulf in class, with all due respect, is below what will come later in the year, the players need to show the coaches that they can stick to the plan and stay on script. The game has the potential to devolve into an unstructured runaround, which might be fun to watch but will serve little purpose in the bigger picture. Essentially, the players have more to lose than they have to gain in this outing. 'We know how passionate and intense this Georgian side is, and they will be determined to make a strong statement,' said Erasmus. 'So we selected some experienced players who we would like to get more game time before the Rugby Championship, and give a few of the younger players who have put up their hands another run … so we are pleased with the balance we have in this group.' DM
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors discover 4 Investec Champions Cup fixtures
Scottish clubs in Europe's premier event land fixture list Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Glasgow Warriors will kick off the 2025/26 Investec Champions Cup on opening night after their match away at Sale Sharks was scheduled for Friday, December 5 at 8pm. Franco Smith's side will head to the Salford Community Stadium to take on the Gallagher Prem outfit, who have Scotland internationalists Arron Reed and Gus Warr as part of their squad. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh Rugby have been given a home match to kick off their campaign against Toulon from the Top 14. The French side, who Scotland scrum-half Ben White plays for, are due at the Hive Stadium on Sunday, December 7 at 5.30pm in the final match of the first round of fixtures. Edinburgh Rugby close off their Investec Champions Cup pool-phase fixtures away at Finn Russell and Bath. | SNS Group Edinburgh are in Pool 2 of the competition alongside Bath, Toulon, Munster, Castres and Gloucester, while Warriors have Toulouse, Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Sharks, Saracens and Sale Sharks in Pool 1. Each team plays four fixtures against the clubs who are not in their domestic leagues, so Edinburgh will not face Munster and Glasgow avoid the Hollywoodbets Sharks, who are in the United Rugby Championship alongside them. The top four in the pool qualify for the last 16 of the tournament, with first and second place being at home and third and fourth away. Finishing fifth results in dropping down to the Challenge Cup, while sixth place results in European elimination. After facing Sale Sharks, Glasgow are at home to Toulouse on Saturday, December 13a at 8pm, with Scotland fly-half Blair Kinghorn among the Top 14 champions' star-studded squad due to visit Scotstoun. In round three, they travel to the Stade Marcel-Michelin to take on Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, January 10 (3.15pm) before closing off at home to Saracens on Sunday, January 18 (5.30pm). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A week on from facing Top 14 opposition, Edinburgh head to France in gameweek two to play Castres at Stade Pierre-Fabre on Sunday, December 14 at 1pm. Their third pool match is at home to Gloucester on Friday, January 9 (8pm) before finishing off away at Bath, who have Scotland fly-half Finn Russell in their squad, on Friday, January 16 (8pm).
