Former Lions, SA ‘A’ coach returns home

Former Springbok lock and SA ‘A’ head coach Johan Ackermann will return to South Africa after seven years abroad to add his considerable experience to the Junior Springbok squad in the capacity as coaching consultant.

The 54-year-old Ackermann will return to South Africa from Japan, where he had been coaching for the last four years. Before that, be spent three seasons with Gloucester in England.

His last job in South Africa was with the Lions from 2013 to 2018, in which time he took the Johannesburg-based franchise to three consecutive Vodacom Super Rugby finals.

Ackermann, a three-time SA Rugby Coach of the Year winner, was at the helm of the SA ‘A’ team in 2016 against the England Saxons, and in 2017 against the French Barbarians. He also played 13 Tests for the Springboks between 1996 and 2007.

“To have someone with Johan’s experience return home and join the Junior Boks is fantastic for South African rugby, and he’ll be a great mentor to both our staff and players,” said Dave Wessels, General Manager of SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department.

“Following our review of the SA U20 campaign earlier this year, we identified certain areas for improvement, and bringing in Johan is one of the many ways we aim to address these. The goal of our junior programme is to develop players who can one day go on to become champion Springboks.”

WHEN WILL JOHAN ACKERMANN START THIS ROLE?

Ackermann will join the Junior Springbok coaching team, consisting of head coach Kevin Foote and assistants Lumumba Currie and Melusi Mthethwa, in January and will remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Foote, Currie and Mthethwa are currently in camp with the SA U19 Academy squad. All the players are eligible to represent the Junior Boks next year.