It’s about to get personal at the north/south derby come January 3, 2026, when Johann Ackermann, the new commander-in-chief of the Vodacom Bulls, clashes horns with none other than his bloodline, Ruan Ackermann, who’s suiting up for the Stormers. After a stint of over eight years and 170 caps in the English Premiership with Gloucester—a team once helmed by papa Ackermann—Ruan is back on South African turf, stirring up the local rugby scene with his notorious high-octane play.
The upcoming face-off will be a family affair with a twist, as it marks the first time Johann and Ruan Ackermann find themselves strategizing in rival camps. “Ja, that’s going to be interesting. It’ll be first time I’m coaching against him,” Johann spilled the beans on Jacaranda FM’s breakfast show. The veteran coach has always been either a teammate or a proud spectator of his son’s burgeoning career, making this matchup a bittersweet symphony of familial pride and professional rivalry.
“I’ve always been very proud of him when he played at the Lions and the way he carved his way at Gloucester, even after I’d left.”
Ruan’s return to the South African pitches is highly anticipated, not just by fans but by a dad who’s seen his son evolve from a fierce Lion to a Gloucester gladiator. Now, as Ruan amps up to bolster the Stormers, Johann faces the herculean task of squaring off against his progeny, armed with nothing but strategy and perhaps, a father’s intuition.
Amidst the emotional rollercoaster, Johann Ackermann also touched upon the rigors of his new role during a team meet-up. “One thing that’s the toughest from a coaching perspective is selection. I know I work with players with careers, with dreams and I’ll always try to be fair in that because sometimes it’s small margins between being selected and not selected.” The game isn’t just played on the field but also in the decisions made off it, a testament to the weight carried by a coach’s playbook.
As D-day draws near, the rugby community is buzzing with anticipation. Will familial ties make it a gentler game or will it fuel the competitive fire even more? One thing’s for sure, the Ackermann showdown is set to add an extra layer of intrigue to the already explosive Vodacom URC derby.
2,193 posts
It’s about to get personal at the north/south derby come January 3, 2026, when Johann Ackermann, the new commander-in-chief of the Vodacom Bulls, clashes horns with none other than his bloodline, Ruan Ackermann, who’s suiting up for the Stormers. After a stint of over eight years and 170 caps in the English Premiership with Gloucester—a team once helmed by papa Ackermann—Ruan is back on South African turf, stirring up the local rugby scene with his notorious high-octane play.
The upcoming face-off will be a family affair with a twist, as it marks the first time Johann and Ruan Ackermann find themselves strategizing in rival camps. “Ja, that’s going to be interesting. It’ll be first time I’m coaching against him,” Johann spilled the beans on Jacaranda FM’s breakfast show. The veteran coach has always been either a teammate or a proud spectator of his son’s burgeoning career, making this matchup a bittersweet symphony of familial pride and professional rivalry.
“I’ve always been very proud of him when he played at the Lions and the way he carved his way at Gloucester, even after I’d left.”
Ruan’s return to the South African pitches is highly anticipated, not just by fans but by a dad who’s seen his son evolve from a fierce Lion to a Gloucester gladiator. Now, as Ruan amps up to bolster the Stormers, Johann faces the herculean task of squaring off against his progeny, armed with nothing but strategy and perhaps, a father’s intuition.
Amidst the emotional rollercoaster, Johann Ackermann also touched upon the rigors of his new role during a team meet-up. “One thing that’s the toughest from a coaching perspective is selection. I know I work with players with careers, with dreams and I’ll always try to be fair in that because sometimes it’s small margins between being selected and not selected.” The game isn’t just played on the field but also in the decisions made off it, a testament to the weight carried by a coach’s playbook.
As D-day draws near, the rugby community is buzzing with anticipation. Will familial ties make it a gentler game or will it fuel the competitive fire even more? One thing’s for sure, the Ackermann showdown is set to add an extra layer of intrigue to the already explosive Vodacom URC derby.