SA Rugby make significant announcement in wake of Bulls backlash after Johan Ackermann forced to defend Springboks involvement
Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann and SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
SA Rugby have taken the step to create a “national coaching forum” in order to improve the links between coaches at the Springboks and the provincial unions.
It comes after there was criticism over the decision to allow four national team coaches to help out at the Bulls following the Pretoria outfit’s poor start to the season.
Felix Jones, Duane Vermeulen, Jerry Flannery and Andy Edwards have been given permission to aid head honcho Johan Ackermann after two of his coaches, Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw, were axed.
SA Rugby statement
In a statement, SA Rugby said they “support” Rassie Erasmus’ decision to offer assistance and insisted that other franchises “may request such collaboration”.
The various coaches already liaise with each other over the schedules of their Springboks – or Players of National Interest (PONI) – but SA Rugby hope that this “formal structure” will “enhance these relationships” between the respective teams.
“We believe this kind of collaboration should be the norm in South African rugby. The Springbok coaching staff and our member unions must work together, sharing ideas and expertise to strengthen the playing of the game across all levels,” SA Rugby president Mark Alexander.
“This process is well established in many progressive rugby nations, where collective delivery ensures both excellence and sustainability.”
Alexander claims that this latest move is not about establishing a uniform way of playing, adding: “Collaboration is about support and shared learning, not uniformity — it is about elevating standards while respecting the autonomy of each union.”
It should at least quell the slightly surprising furore which occurred in the aftermath of the Bulls’ announcement that they would be receiving help from the Springboks.
Ackermann came out in his press conference ahead of their encounter with the Stormers to defend the collaboration between them and the national team.
Bulls’ defence
“The truth is simple: I assessed everything and wanted a fresh pair of eyes to look at our defensive structures and bounce ideas off,” he said.
“I said [to Rassie Erasmus]: ‘You’ve always made your team of coaches available, and I’d love it if someone like [coach] Jerry Flannery 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.
“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.”
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READ MORE: Bulls: Johan Ackermann gives clarity on request for input from Springboks coaches