There’s an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday’s Vodacom URC clash between the Bulls and Lions at Loftus Versfeld, and it comes in the form of Johan Ackermann.
The Bulls coach knows Ellis Park intimately, having orchestrated one of South African rugby’s great turnarounds during his time as Lions head coach. He inherited a franchise that had been axed from Super Rugby and transformed them into back-to-back finalists in 2016 and 2017, laying the foundation for a third final appearance in 2018 under Swys de Bruin.
Now he’s plotting their downfall.
“With Johan Ackermann having been at the Lions for a long time, I think it provides more excitement to the match,” former Lions and Springbok forward Willem Alberts told Netwerk24.
“He was very successful in his time at the Lions and they played very good rugby under him because he is a good coach, but also knows how to motivate players.”
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The 55-year-old Ackermann, who played for both franchises during his own career as a lock, took charge at Loftus earlier this year and will be desperate to get one over his former employers.
For Alberts, who retired in 2024 after 118 appearances for the Lions and 43 Tests for the Springboks, the Jukskei derby has always held special significance.
“It is a rivalry that has been going on for years and that’s why it remains a big match, no matter where the two teams find themselves on the log. I think it also helps that supporters of the two teams live among each other. In Johannesburg and Pretoria there are people who support both teams.”
Recent history heavily favours the Bulls. They thumped the Lions 31-19 when the sides last met in Pretoria earlier this year, and the visitors haven’t tasted victory at Loftus since March 2023, when they scraped home 29-25.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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