Neil de Bruin delighted to reunite with Johan Ackermann at the Bulls

De Bruin was recruited by Ackermann to replace Chris Rossouw, who was removed as backs and attack coach after the Bulls suffered a disastrous start to the 2025-26 season.

The pair have worked together extensively in Japan in the past at the Docomo Red Hurricanes and Urayasu D-Rocks and De Bruin is confident he can help the Bulls find form again.

"This is not the first time Ackers and I have joined forces," he told Rapport.

"Ackers and I have come a long way together. He offered me a massive opportunity in Japan; so much so that I had already said 'yes' before he could finish the question. That's how highly I regard Ackers, both as a person and as a coach.

"Apart from rugby, he and I also share a spiritual bond. As a coach, Ackers understands the game very well and more importantly, he knows how to work with players. That's why I resonate with him. I absolutely believe in his principles of teamwork and culture building.

"That's how Ackers and I work. [Bulls defence coach] Jean Tiedt and I also worked together at the NWU before, so it should be a seamless transition."

De Bruin revealed that he was so excited to take up the role with the Bulls that he has been struggling to sleep since receiving the call.

"I've often been lying awake about this for the past 48 hours," he said.

"My way of doing things is to first understand how a team like the Bulls functions. You can study as much video material as you want and I've already picked up a few things that require attention, but my starting point is always: understand before you demand.

"The Bulls are an ultra-successful team with exceptional qualities, as evidenced by the URC finals they have reached in the past few seasons. The adjustments that need to be made are therefore not massive. It is about building on and highlighting their strengths, and I would like to put a positive spin on them."