Johan Ackermann returns to SA in new coaching role

Former Springbok lock Johan Ackermann is set to return to South Africa after seven years abroad as he taks on a role as coaching consultant for the Junior Springboks.

RugbyPass had flagged Ackermann's return to South African shores months ago and the 54-year-old is now making good on those reports.

Ackermann will bring significant experience to the national Under-20 side following coaching stints in Japan and England. He spent the past four years in Japan with Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks; and three seasons prior with Gloucester in the English Premiership.

During his last South African tenure, Ackermann coached the Emirates Lions from 2013 to 2018, leading them to three consecutive Vodacom Super Rugby finals. He was also head coach of the SA ‘A’ side in 2016 and 2017.

Ackermann, a three-time SA Rugby Coach of the Year, earned 13 Test caps 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 GM of SA Rugby’s High-Performance Department, Dave Wessels.

“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.”

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

Currently, Foote, Currie, and Mthethwa are in camp with the SA U19 Academy squad, preparing players who are all eligible for Junior Springbok selection next year.