Johan Ackermann will walk into Ellis Park on Saturday for the first time since departing as Lions coach, seeking to add another chapter to his remarkable Jukskei Derby story with the Vodacom Bulls.
Few individuals understand this fixture’s significance better than Ackermann. He has played for both sides, coached both teams, and experienced every emotion this storied rivalry can offer. Now, he returns to his former stomping ground determined to claim victory in one of world rugby’s great club derbies.
“In our rugby history these two unions split from each other and it’s always been a case of who the bigger brother is,” Ackermann explained. “We’re basically neighbours. Many of the Lions players live in Pretoria. So that’s what makes this fixture so special.”
The coach traces the derby’s intensity to players who crossed the divide, including himself, Uli Schmidt, Jannie Breedt, and Hannes Strydom. During his Lions tenure, Ackermann brought Vodacom Bulls players like Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Franco Mostert to Johannesburg, each harbouring something to prove against their former club.
Saturday’s match carries added emotion as Ackermann faces familiar faces at Ellis Park, including Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen, who served as his Strength and Conditioning coach.
“Ivan was one of the world’s best Strength and Conditioning coaches and I had so much faith in him,” said Ackermann. “He is very calm. He has a very calm head on him and knows the game well.”
Ackermann expects the Lions to deploy the fast-running game he himself instilled during his tenure. “The DNA of the Lions of being a running team is still there, so I expect them to play a fast game at Ellis Park.”
Despite the Vodacom Bulls’ challenging VURC position, Ackermann sees encouraging signs. Managing Springbok players’ compulsory rest periods and injuries has hindered continuity, but he remains optimistic.
“I can see the growth in this team,” Ackermann noted. “The Vodacom United Rugby Championship has shown us that nothing is impossible. We saw Munster in 2023 win after playing their quarters, semis and final away.”
Saturday presents Ackermann another opportunity to etch his name deeper into Jukskei Derby folklore.
