Ackers lauds Sebastian, Luan

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says his pride in newly selected Springboks Sebastian de Klerk and Luan Giliomee far outweighs the inconvenience of losing them.

Ackermann was at pains to say the Bulls could claim only a little credit for new signing Giliomee’s progression, adding that De Klerk’s ascent was reward for hard work, especially after the foot injury that kept him out for seven months this year.

“With Luan … you have to look at what he did at junior level and at the Sharks as part of his development,” he said.

“I’m happy for Luan and very pleased for Sebastian, who gets this opportunity to experience international training and teams.

“You lose players, but with first-time selections you gain what they pick up in experience, and they bring it back into their own game and the union.”

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Ackermann praised De Klerk’s relentless work ethic and hinted that he might also be considered a hybrid given that he’s played in the No 13 jersey before – and enjoyed it.

For Saturday’s URC match against the Scarlets, he’s on the Bulls bench to cover both wing and outside centre.

“At the Springboks you have the whole nation’s top players together, the best of the best.

“First of all, Sebastian just needs to be himself and settle in. There’s a reason Rassie [Erasmus] and the people who picked him did so, and I’m sure they’ll see it when they work with him. Hopefully he works his way into the team, but let’s be honest, there are [other] quality wingers.

“Sebastian has an unrelenting work rate. He’s physical, he’s fit, and he’s versatile. We haven’t played him much at 13, but he’s covering 13 this weekend and he can play both wings. His basic skills are very good, and he’s strong in the air and in defence.”

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Ackermann believes the Bok environment will offer optimal conditions to produce the very best.

“Those guys are more than capable of recognising what they want against certain opposition. It just takes time to settle into that environment, because there are quality wingers, and we’re fortunate to have some of the world’s best players.”

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images