New Bulls Coach Johan Ackermann Vows to Inspire Players After Turbulent Jake White Departure

New Bulls coach Johan Ackermann said on Wednesday that he does not doubt the quality and talent of the team he inherits, despite former coach Jake White ending his tenure by suggesting they were not good enough to win the United Rugby Championship.

After being beaten 32-7 by Leinster in last month's URC final, White said in his post-match press conference that the Bulls needed "more international players, we need what Leinster have to be able to fight fire with fire. When you're playing against 22 internationals, it is completely and utterly different. You do not go to a gunfight with a knife."

Player Revolt 

Within days, there had been a player revolt at Loftus Versfeld and White's assistant coaches also indicated their unwillingness to continue working with him. The former World Cup winning coach was released by the Bulls on July 4, with Ackermann, who sprung to prominence as a coach by steering the previously underwhelming Gauteng Lions to three SuperRugby finals between 2016 and 2018, appointed as the new head coach a week ago.

"It's very difficult to make comments on a team under a different coach when you're on the outside and you have not worked with them. First I have to get to know each player and their strengths and talents, get to know what they can do. I will then put a plan together to suit their strengths," Ackermann told sportsboom.co.za in his first press conference in charge at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. 

"But I do believe it is a good squad. Is there quality? Yes. I know they are very talented because that is why they have achieved what they did in making three finals in four seasons. But all coaches have their own views on players and sometimes you have to make tough calls."

"There are also very talented players being brought into the group, but it's all about how well they fit into the plan. Sometimes players excel at a team for certain reasons. So I've told the players that they have to earn the jersey, whether they have played 110 Tests or they are an U20 player."

"If they do what we expect from a coach's point of view, then they will play. And they also need to fall in with our culture. The most important thing is how the players see the culture, what sort of team do they want to be, what style of rugby do they want to play? I want to make sure the team is happy," Ackermann said.

Inspired Appointment 

The former Springbok lock, who is know for his man-management skills, said he would not measure his success with the Bulls by trophies won, but rather by whether he had inspired his charges to be better players and people.

"My definition of success - and this is not me trying to bail out because I know I will be judged based on what happens on the field - is whether I can influence the players positively. I don't do coaching for the status or the money, it's not about me."

"If I get a handshake or a hug when I see players again after they leave Loftus, then I have succeeded. I know I'll get that from my former players in Japan, Gloucester and the Lions, they are like my sons. I will give my best for the players and try to develop them, that's success for me."

"But I know that's not how I will be judged by the fans. Their criticism will be based on what happens on the field and we must be in the playoffs at least or I won't be a success as coach for them. But I am just grateful to be at the Bulls because they have amazing supporters," Ackermann concluded.