Ackermann here to win trophies

The former Springbok lock has risen to prominence over 2014 as a world class coach after taking the Lions to a record seven victories in Super Rugby and to the Final in the Currie Cup.

 

For Ackermann, there is still much to prove after only one successful season as the coach looks to win trophies, defend titles and then potentially move on.

 

In October the Golden Lions Rugby Union announced that Ackermann had signed a two year contract extension keeping him with the Johannesburg side until 2016, Ackermann then reiterated that he had no intentions of backing out of this contract despite the interest.

 

"I still feel we must win trophies here and be successful before one can look further and that is why I am so adamant that the group must stay together," Ackermann said.

 

"If the group stays together we can all lift our value and then make the decision – do you want to start defending titles or do you move on?

 

"I think the teams from Japan just wanted to do some fishing and see if I would be available."

 

The Lions had spent the last two years without a key sponsor following a period of deep financial woes.

 

A new sponsor was recently announced and Ackermann believes the financial boost will be instrumental to the Johannesburg team's growth.

 

"For two years there was a lack of Super Rugby sponsorship, for two years we have to fill in and now the money has to be allocated correctly," Ackermann said.

 

"The most important part is to look after this group and if we can keep them intact then the spinoffs would be automatically better for the future.

 

"We will hopefully look more professional and be more professional because we will be able to contend off the field on small little things to prepare the guys better."

 

Ackermann and an army of fringe players have been instrumental in the team's resurrection which saw the team produce Springbok players such as flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, captain Warren Whiteley, and Julian Redelinghuys.

 

The team's exciting brand of rugby had also earned them a host of new supporters while they also progressed to this year's Currie Cup Final where they lost to Western Province in Cape Town.