Johan Ackermann

Johan Ackermann took over the union at its lowest point. When John Mitchell was suspended in June 2012, the Lions had already lost their Super Rugby place for 2013. Ackermann, Mitchell's assistant, was left to rebuild.

He brought in Swys de Bruin and won the place back in a promotion series against the Kings. The Lions returned to Super Rugby in 2014, and he was named SA Rugby Coach of the Year that season.

In 2015 the Lions won the Currie Cup unbeaten, beating Western Province 32–24 in the final in Johannesburg. They were the first side since the Sharks in 1996 to win it without losing a game. They then reached consecutive Super Rugby finals, losing to the Hurricanes in 2016 and the Crusaders in 2017.

Born in Benoni on 3 June 1970 and schooled at Hoërskool Brandwag, Ackermann was a lock. He played for the province from 1999 to 2001 and won 13 Springbok caps. He left for Gloucester in 2017.