Johan Ackermann has explained the Springbok coaches’ involvement with the Vodacom Bulls.
On Sunday, SA Rugby confirmed that Bok assistant coaches Felix Jones and Jerry Flannery, SA Rugby Mobi-Unit coach Duane Vermeulen and head of athletic performance Andy Edwards will provide short-term support to the Bulls following a request from the struggling side for assistance in specific technical areas.
The Bulls are set to face the Stormers in a Vodacom URC clash against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
“It was quite interesting for me to see that, in such a big week, they’re bringing the Springbok coaches in to help the Bulls,” Stormers defence coach Norman Laker said on Monday. “Normally, the national coaches don’t really help teams when there are derbies involved. That’s always been the case.”
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In a statement on Tuesday, Ackermann said the Bok coaches would not be involved with the Bulls this week.
“I never asked for that, and Rassie [Erasmus] also said it wouldn’t be ideal. The thought that they [Bok coaches] would be in camp this week is ridiculous, and I challenge any press photographer to get a picture of a Bok coach at Loftus this week – it was never our intention.
“The story was spread without the facts, and nobody bothered to speak to me. The truth is simple: I assessed everything and wanted a fresh pair of eyes to look at our defensive structures and bounce ideas off.”
Ackermann clarified the nature of his request, saying he called Erasmus.
“I said, you’ve always made your team of coaches available, and I’d love it if someone like [assistant coach] Jerry Flanerry could come in and look at our defensive systems and share some ideas.
“I don’t expect the Bok coaches to put a plan together on how to win – that is my job as head coach. I have my own system; it was never my idea to secure plans.”
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Ackermann added that any collaboration would be practical and rotational.
“You can’t expect the Bok coaches, one of whom lives in Ireland, to be at Loftus every week. I’d be happy if they rotated, which is where the idea of involving Duane Vermeulen and Felix Jones came in.
“I would never ask Rassie for game plans, merely a careful eye on what we are doing. This is about alignment and perspective, not about outsourcing our coaching.”
Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Getty Images
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