Opinion: Ruan Ackermann could offer another back-row option for England after disappointing Six Nations
Gloucester Rugby's Ruan Ackermann tackled by London Irish's Chunya Munga during the Gallagher Premiership match at the Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
In the immediate aftermath of England’s final Six Nations defeat to France, head coach Eddie Jones admitted that the squad is certain to look considerably different by the time the 2023 World Cup rolls around.
For Jones, such a comment could be construed as damage limitation after England ended a disappointing Six Nations campaign in third place – level on points with Scotland – after managing just two victories in the competition.
“You’re making judgements on a team now, and the World Cup is in 14 months’ time,” the coach commented. “So, if you were to make a judgement on South Africa 14 months before the (2019) World Cup, you would have said South Africa can’t win the World Cup; they had won 40% of their Tests in the previous 12 months. Those sorts of judgments are premature. In 14 months, that will be the case for us – the team will change considerably and we will either get stronger or get weaker, and our aim is going to make them stronger.
“That is the great thing about sport, you don’t know when a team is going to peak… and our aim is to peak at the World Cup and I have said that consistently. That has been the plan and that is what we are going to do,” he added as he sought to downplay the team’s underperformance.
Could Ruan Ackermann come in?
Yet, if Jones is true to his word, and does begin to look at some new playing personnel, there is surely little doubt that South Africa-born loose forward Ruan Ackermann needs to enter the conversation.
It’s a point that Gloucester head coach George Skivington made back in early February after Ackermann claimed yet another man of the match award against London Irish.
“I am not sure how Ruan is not getting any mentions at international level with the way he is playing,” Skivington commented. “He is a leader in this team and he has been outstanding since I have been here. I have got all the time in the world for him.”
To some extent, Ackermann’s England “spot” has perhaps been pinched by prodigiously talented Harlequins star Alex Dombrandt. Sam Simmonds also banked plenty of game-time in the Six Nations, while Jones has remained adamant that the best position for captain Courtney Lawes is at blindside flank.
Of course there is also Billy Vunipola who will be fighting for a recall as England reassess their squad options ahead of the July internationals against Australia, but there is also every possibility that Ackermann – who can play at number eight or flank – could finally knock the national door down.
“I would love to test myself at international level and to expose myself to that pressure,” the versatile back-rower says. “I’ve been playing pro rugby for seven years now and I want to see if I can take that next step up. I’ve obviously played with and against international players, and it just makes me hungry to also reach that next level.
“I’ve had some brief chats with Eddie (Jones), and he’s been encouraging of my performances and the physicality he’s seen, while also pointing out some stuff to keep working on. It is a confidence booster to know that the hard work is paying off and being noticed. All I can do now is just continue performing as consistently as I can for Gloucester.”
Just last year Ackermann signed a new long-term contract extension at Gloucester, a club that is close to the heart of the 26-year-old, who has recently taken on the captaincy duties not long after featuring in his 100th game for the Cherry and Whites.
“When the opportunity arose to join Gloucester, it was the right move to make,” he reflects. “I knew playing in the Premiership in different conditions and against some of the leading players in world rugby would challenge me as a player and force me to evolve my game. Of course, financially it also made sense, while the timing meant I arrived just under the three-year rule to acquire my EQP (England Qualified Player) status.
“I think from a mental aspect I’ve just grown so much. Every weekend presents different challenges, playing against top quality players and often in wet-weather conditions. But I feel at home now. When we are playing in Europe, especially in France, it’s a hostile environment and a language you don’t understand. You fly back the next morning and then it’s off to a Premiership game the next week. It presents a lot of unique challenges, but I feel it’s all helped me to grow as a person and a player since I’ve been here.”
Although Gloucester and England are now regarded as “home”, the former South Africa ‘A’ forward has by no means turned his back on the Springboks. If Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus were to come calling, there is little doubt that Ackermann would answer.
“I’ve never said that I don’t want to play for the Springboks and only want to go all out for England, or vice versa. The simplest way to put it is that I’m just desperate to play international rugby one day, and it’s not a case of choosing between South Africa or England because at the end of the day they are two of the leading teams in world rugby. It would be a dream to play for any international side of that quality.”
