Johan Ackermann Named Bulls Head Coach Following Jake White's Departure
Johan Ackermann Named Bulls Head Coach Following Jake White's Departure
Johan Ackermann returns to the Bulls as head coach, reuniting with his former club and set to face his son in the United Rugby Championship next season.
Johan Ackermann has been appointed as the new head coach of the Vodacom Bulls, returning to the club where his professional playing career began.
The former Springboks lock, 55, steps into the role following the departure of Jake White earlier this month.
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Ackermann, currently serving as an assistant coach with the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby U20 Championship, officially will join the Bulls after Saturday’s final against New Zealand. He was selected from a three-man shortlist, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the franchise.
“The moment I received the call, I got goose bumps – it still feels too good to be true,” Ackermann said. “It’s a privilege and an honor. The Bulls are a great union with wonderful tradition and supporters. Now, I must make them grow and succeed even more.”
Ackermann’s return to Loftus Versfeld adds a unique twist to next season’s United Rugby Championship, where he will coach against his son, Ruan Ackermann, who is set to join the Stormers.
Willem Strauss, president of the Bulls, praised the appointment, calling it “meant to be.”
“He’s the right person at the right time,” Strauss said. “He’s a Carlton League legend, he played his first test at Loftus, he played for the Bulls… his blood is blue.”
Ackermann has previously held coaching roles with the Lions, where he led the side to back-to-back Super Rugby finals, and later in England and Japan.
Known for his ability to build team culture and get the best out of players, his return to South African rugby is seen as a major coup for the Bulls.
“Johan Ackermann is not just an outstanding coach; he is a leader who lives and breathes the values of this union,” Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone said. “With Johan at the helm, we are confident our future will be shaped by excellence, resilience, and unity.”
Ackermann inherits a side with strong foundations and lofty ambitions, as the Bulls look to convert domestic strength into silverware on the international stage. His appointment signals a new era at Loftus, built on legacy and driven by fresh purpose.
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