Sharks lock Johan Ackermann will play his last first-class game on Saturday when he runs out at Loftus Versfeld.
Ackermann set for the final curtain
Sharks lock Johan Ackermann will play his last first-class game on Saturday when he runs out onto the field where it all began 20 years ago, Loftus Versfeld.
It seems apt that the hard mad from the second row should bring the curtain down on his career in his home town, Pretoria, even if it's for the old enemy, the Sharks.
For years Ackermann was a stalwart of the Northern Transvaal team (prior to their name change to the Bull) before playing for the Lions, Griquas and of course, the Springboks.
Ackermann's career has been a long up and down ride and this isn't the first time his retirement has been mentioned. However at nearly 38, his time has come, despite being in great form for the Durban side this year.
"This time, it's for sure," he told the
Pretoria News.
Injury
"This has got to be my final game for the Sharks - I start work on Monday in Cape Town [as a sales manager for a petroleum company].
"I was supposed to start a month ago but the Sharks asked me to come out of retirement for their first three matches because of the injury to Steven Sykes. My new boss was kind enough to let me play these three games."
A surprise call-up to the Springbok team to play the Barbarians at Twickenham last year was the last time he represented his country, having already been the oldest ever Springbok at 37 when he played the Wallabies in Sydney in 2007.
"After that match I thought it was all over ... and then I got the call from Dick Muir in January," he said.
"When I arrived for the warm-up game against the Lions my boots were still caked in Twickenham mud."
