Bok lock moving to Cape Town

2008-02-07 22:00

Stephen Nell

Cape Town - Veteran Springbok lock forward Johan Ackermann is moving from Durban to Cape Town but he won't play Super 14 rugby for the Stormers.

The 37-year-old Ackermann is available to play for the Sharks in their first three matches of the competition but will then take up a position with Kepu Petroleum in Cape Town.

"I'll be doing marketing along the West Coast," Ackermann said on Thursday, adding that he would join Hamiltons.

However, he has an agreement with Hamiltons as well as the Sharks that he won't consider playing for the Stormers.

Ackermann, the oldest man to have played for South Africa, will be 38 in June and said, "Life after rugby is now important to me. I'll continue playing club rugby as long as my body feels up to it.

"I'll be available for Hamiltons for the whole year and will also help with the (coaching of) junior teams."

Sharks coach Dick Muir approached Ackermann to help out when he realised his squad did not have much depth at lock as the start of the Super 14 drew closer.

"I'll be able to play for the Sharks in the first three rounds of the competition," Ackermann said. "It depends on (injured) Steven Sykes's availability."

- Die Burger