Johan Ackermann

Johannes Nicolaas 'Johan' Ackermann (born June 3, 1970) is a retired South African rugby union player and current coach. A lock, he most recently played Super 14 rugby for the Sharks.

Ackerman is known for his physical approach to the game. In 2007, Johan Ackermann became the oldest Springbok to play for the national side, at the age of 37. After the 2007 World Cup in France, he was recalled to the Springbok squad to play against the Barbarians. This was his last outing as an international player.

Ackermann bowed out of professional rugby on a winning note on 1 March 2008, when the Sharks defeated the Bulls 29-15 at Loftus Versfeld. He became the oldest player ever in Super Rugby history at age 37 years, 272 days.

In 1997, Ackermann was banned for two years for use of the prohibited substance nandrolone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid.

Ackermann originally was the Forwards coach of the Lions in Super Rugby under head coach, John Mitchel but after Mitchel left the Union he took over. He has seen huge success as coach of the Union including winning the SARU Coach of the Year award in 2014, his first year as head coach.

He is currently the head coach at the Lions Super Rugby and the Golden Lions Currie Cup sides.

He was appointed as the head coach of English Premiership side Gloucester prior to the 2017–18 season.