{"id":18377,"date":"2025-07-25T16:33:33","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=18377"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:10:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:10:51","slug":"new-bulls-coach-ackermann-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/new-bulls-coach-ackermann-talks\/","title":{"rendered":"New Bulls Coach Ackermann Talks Experience Since Leaving Lions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Back on home soil and ready for a fresh challenge, Johan Ackermann is bringing a wealth of global experience to the Bulls camp. The former Lions mentor, now part of the Pretoria-based franchise\u2019s coaching setup, says the past seven years abroad have sharpened his approach, both on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-experience-comes-with-time-and-travel\"><strong>Experience Comes With Time and Travel<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ackermann, who famously steered the Lions to consecutive Super Rugby finals in 2016 and 2017, has since tested his mettle in Europe and Asia. His stints at Gloucester in England and Urayasu in Japan have been invaluable. From leading Gloucester to a Challenge Cup final in 2018 to guiding Urayasu to promotion into Japan Rugby League One\u2019s top flight and even being crowned Division 2 Coach of the Year, Ackermann\u2019s coaching journey has been nothing short of impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-506444546\" 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-shaped-by-culture-and-diversity\"><strong>Shaped by Culture and Diversity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflecting on his evolution since his days at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/10-biggest-football-stadiums-africa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ellis Park<\/a>, Ackermann admits he&#8217;s grown beyond just tactics and results. &#8220;I\u2019m not necessarily a different coach, but definitely more streetwise and experienced,&#8221; he says. &#8220;Working with players from different cultures taught me how important inclusivity and mutual understanding are.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His time in Japan, particularly, offered lessons in cultural sensitivity and team cohesion. With squads made up of players from New Zealand, England, and Scotland, Ackermann had to unify varied rugby philosophies. \u201cThe challenge was to earn their trust and still maintain your coaching principles but also be open to their ideas,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Bulls&#039; New Coach Johann Ackermann: First Impressions and Early Plans!\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ut-l1AHnvtU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-coaching-style-rooted-in-joy-and-discipline\"><strong>A Coaching Style Rooted in Joy and Discipline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/new-signings-at-bulls-raise-expectations-for-new-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Bulls<\/a>, Ackermann wants to create a culture that balances excellence with enjoyment. He emphasises the value of a team environment built on humility, respect, and service. \u201cPlayers must love what they do. We\u2019ve got to create a space where they can thrive but also be challenged,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike his Lions days, where he and Swys de Bruin shaped a young group from the ground up, the Bulls setup includes seasoned professionals. Having worked with high-profile names like Liam Gill, Israel Folau, and Greig Laidlaw overseas, Ackermann knows how to manage strong personalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a balance. As a coach, you guide the ship, but sometimes the players can teach you something too,\u201d he admitted. \u201cGood ideas can come from within the group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-986656863\" 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-respecting-the-currie-cup-structure\"><strong>Respecting the Currie Cup Structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In his current role, Ackermann is working alongside Currie Cup head coach Phiwe Nomlomo. He\u2019s in no rush to take centre stage. \u201cPhiwe has done a fantastic job, and I want to support rather than override. For now, I\u2019m observing and will share my vision in time,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ackermann\u2019s approach is a mix of discipline and playfulness. \u201cBeing authentic is key. Bring in some music, have a bit of fun; no matter your background, people respond to joy,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-season-of-promise\"><strong>A Season of Promise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/sport\/rugby\/bulls-coach-johan-ackermann-ackers-streetwise-since-lions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ackermann\u2019s return<\/a> has sparked optimism within the Bulls camp. With the Currie Cup kicking off and all eight teams in contention, his experience could be a vital asset in the side\u2019s quest for silverware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More than just tactical nous, Ackermann brings perspective, shaped by wins, losses, different continents, and many cultures. The Bulls aren\u2019t just getting a coach; they\u2019re getting a seasoned leader who knows what it takes to build something special from the ground up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/eben-etzebeth-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eben Etzebeth: The Relentless Titan of South African Rugby<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back on home soil and ready for a fresh challenge, Johan Ackermann is bringing a wealth of global experience to the Bulls camp. The former Lions mentor, now part of the Pretoria-based franchise\u2019s coaching setup, says the past seven years abroad have sharpened his approach, both on and off the pitch. Experience Comes With Time<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":18382,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Back on home soil and ready for a fresh challenge, Johan Ackermann is bringing a wealth of global experience to the Bulls camp. The former Lions mentor, now...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[10060,868,415],"class_list":{"0":"post-18377","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-currie-cup","10":"tag-rugby","11":"tag-sa-rugby"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18377","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=18377"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18383,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18377\/revisions\/18383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}