Johann Ackermann ready to walk out on club to make return

Johan Ackermann admits that he could return to South Africa at the end of the season despite having another year left to run on his contract with Japan Rugby League One Division Two leaders Urayasu D-Rocks.

Ackermann, 53, last worked in South Africa in 2017, when he left the Lions after a four-year stint to move to Gloucester and has told Rapport he has an option to leave Japan and that it could be time for him to seek a new challenge and return home.

“My contract only ends in a year, but I have an option to move at the end of the current season if there is another opportunity that I would prefer.

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“It would be nice to be in South Africa again, but of course, that’s if there’s an opportunity, and also everything that goes with it,” said the former Springbok lock.

Ackermann is one of the highest-profile, highly-rated South African coaches working around the world with Franco Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Johann van Graan (Bath), and Heyneke Meyer (Houston Sabercasts).

He has been in Japan since leaving Gloucester for the Red Hurricanes Osaka in 2020 before joining Urayasu D-Rock last year and is currently attempting to lead them back into the Japanese top flight.

They are currently top of the Division Two table with 42 points, five clear of Green Rockets Tokatsu and eight points ahead of third-placed Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi.

However, he could have a problem because there is a lack of attractive jobs in South Africa, and Rassie Erasmus, who has the biggest job of them all, is under contract until 2027.

Ackermann has been mentioned as a possible future Springbok coach but is likely to see out his lucrative deal in Japan before looking at his options in 12 months.

Ackermann’s back-row son Ruan – who has represented South Africa A – is still at Gloucester.