Vodacom Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann has moved swiftly to shut down speculation linking Springbok assistant coaches with the Pretoria side during derby week, insisting recent reports have misrepresented both his intentions and the facts.<\/p>\n
Ackermann said suggestions that Springbok coaches would be embedded with the Bulls ahead of this weekend\u2019s United Rugby Championship clash were wide of the mark and never part of the plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never asked for that, and Rassie also said it wouldn\u2019t be ideal,\u201d Ackermann explained. \u201cThe thought that they 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 \u2013 it was never our intention.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bulls coach acknowledged his frustration at how the story gathered momentum without clarification. According to Ackermann, the narrative snowballed across media platforms and social channels without any direct engagement with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe story was spread without the facts, and nobody bothered to speak to me,\u201d he said. \u201cThe truth is simple: I assessed everything and wanted a fresh pair of eyes to look at our defensive structures and bounce ideas off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ackermann stressed that his approach was rooted in professional reflection rather than a request for tactical assistance from the national setup. He confirmed that his outreach was limited and specific, centred on discussion rather than delegation.<\/p>\n
He clarified that he contacted senior Springbok coach Johan Erasmus with a narrowly defined request.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said, you\u2019ve always made your team of coaches available, and I\u2019d love it if someone like Jerry Flanerry could come in and look at our defensive systems and share some ideas,\u201d Ackermann said. \u201cI don\u2019t expect the Bok coaches to put a plan together on how to win \u2013 that is my job as head coach. I have my own system; it was never my idea to secure plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ackermann added that any interaction with national coaches would be informal, practical and occasional, rather than a standing arrangement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t expect the Bok coaches, one of whom lives in Ireland, to be at Loftus every week,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019d be happy if they rotated, which is where the idea of involving Duane Vermeulen and Felix Jones came in.\u201d<\/p>\n
He was also clear that boundaries remain firmly in place between club and country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would never ask Rassie for game plans, merely a careful eye on what we are doing,\u201d Ackermann said. \u201cThis is about alignment and perspective, not about outsourcing our coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Vodacom Bulls, meanwhile, have shifted their full attention back to the field as preparations continue for Saturday\u2019s United Rugby Championship showdown against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town, a fixture that carries significant weight in the early stages of the season given the Bulls currently in 10th position on the table.<\/p>\n
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Investec Champions Cup Round 2\u00a0Friday, Dec. 123 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSaturday, Dec. 138 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-B\u00e8gles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun StadiumSunday, Dec. 148 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade F\u00e9lix Mayol10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin\u2019s Gardens12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton GateInvestec Champions Cup Round 1 ScoresFriday ScoresDHL Stormers 23, Bayonne 17 | FINALSale Sharks 21, Glasgow Warriors 26 | FINALSaturday Scores\u00a0Saracens 47, Clermont 10 | FINALBordeaux 46, Vodacom Bulls 33 | FINALLa Rochelle 39, Leicester Tigers 20 | FINALLeinster Rugby 45, Harlequins 28 | FINALBristol Bears 17, Scarlets 16 | FINALBath Rugby 40, Munster Rugby 14 | FINALSunday ScoresNorthampton Saints 35, Pau 27 | FINALToulouse 56, Hollywoodbets Sharks 19 | FINALGloucester Rugby 34, Castres 14 | FINALEdinburgh Rugby 33, Toulon | FinalEuropean Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby<\/p>\n
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