{"id":11475,"date":"2025-06-25T12:11:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=11475"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:26:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:26:23","slug":"stormers-sign-ackermann","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/stormers-sign-ackermann\/","title":{"rendered":"Stormers Sign Ackermann Ahead of 2025\/26 Rugby Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Stormers have pulled off a major signing ahead of the 2025\/26 United Rugby Championship season. They confirmed the arrival of loose forward Ruan Ackermann. The former Lions and Gloucester stalwart is set to bolster the Cape side\u2019s pack. He brings a wealth of international experience and a gritty work ethic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ackermann, who is the son of ex-Springbok and Lions head coach Johan Ackermann, has returned home after nearly a decade in England. His move from Gloucester Rugby to the Stormers marks a significant homecoming. It adds further depth to an already ambitious squad preparing for a fresh campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-familiar-face-returns-home\">A Familiar Face Returns Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 29-year-old made his professional debut with the Lions directly after high school. He quickly made an impression during his stint between 2015 and 2017. He then made the leap to the English Premiership, joining Gloucester. There, he played under his father and became a fan favourite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During his time at Kingsholm, Ackermann featured in 172 matches, becoming one of the club\u2019s most consistent and hard-working forwards. His performances also earned him qualification for England, although he remained on the fringes of international selection. Notably, he also featured for the Barbarians and played for the SA \u2018A\u2019 side in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/rugby\/ackermann-joins-the-stormers-ahead-of-2025-26-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">His return<\/a> to the South African rugby landscape is seen as a significant gain for the Stormers. This is especially given the physical demands of the United Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3356751969\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-star-studded-stormers-squad-taking-shape\">A Star-Studded Stormers Squad Taking Shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ackermann joins a growing list of high-profile signings ahead of the new season. The Stormers have already confirmed the acquisitions of Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and powerful prop Ntuthuko Mchunu. This signals their intent to challenge seriously for silverware in the coming campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the likes of Suleiman Hartzenberg, Hacjivah Dayimani, and Evan Roos already on the books, the addition of Ackermann injects further versatility and depth. This strengthens the back row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dobson-backs-ackermann-to-shine\">Dobson Backs Ackermann to Shine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson expressed his excitement at securing the services of such an established talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRuan is a proven performer who brings relentless energy and the type of work ethic we value highly. Our system thrives on players who are willing to go the extra mile. Ruan certainly fits that mould,\u201d Dobson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added that the Cape Town faithful can expect nothing less than total dedication from the hard-hitting loose forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re confident that he will have a major impact on and off the field. I believe he\u2019ll become a firm favourite at Cape Town Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1086627636\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ready-for-a-new-chapter\">Ready for a New Chapter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ackermann himself is relishing the opportunity to start a new chapter in his career. Speaking about the move, he emphasised the allure of Cape Town\u2019s rugby culture. He also highlighted the chance to play alongside top-level talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always admired the passion for rugby in Cape Town. It\u2019s a city that lives and breathes the game, and I can\u2019t wait to be part of that,\u201d said Ackermann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also highlighted his eagerness to integrate into the Stormers\u2019 dynamic environment and make a meaningful contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is a big move for me and my family, and I\u2019m ready to give it everything. I\u2019m looking forward to working with the coaches and players, and doing whatever I can to help the team succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cape-town-ready-to-welcome-a-warrior\">Cape Town Ready to Welcome a Warrior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With Ackermann set to don the Stormers jersey from the start of the 2025\/26 season, fans can look forward to a player who embodies resilience, consistency, and commitment. His signing not only strengthens the team\u2019s forward stocks. It also underscores the franchise\u2019s ambition to climb back to the summit of local and international rugby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/stormers-lose-core-players\/\">End of an Era: Stormers Lose Core Players as URC Campaign Concludes<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Stormers have pulled off a major signing ahead of the 2025\/26 United Rugby Championship season. They confirmed the arrival of loose forward Ruan Ackermann. The former Lions and Gloucester stalwart is set to bolster the Cape side\u2019s pack. He brings a wealth of international experience and a gritty work ethic. Ackermann, who is the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":11489,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"The Stormers have pulled off a major signing ahead of the 2025\/26 United Rugby Championship season. They confirmed the arrival of loose forward Ruan Ackermann....","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[1341,415,2458,1053,784],"class_list":{"0":"post-11475","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-rugby-news","10":"tag-sa-rugby","11":"tag-stormers","12":"tag-united-rugby-championship","13":"tag-urc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11475"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11490,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11475\/revisions\/11490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11489"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}