Johan Ackermann has confirmed that he will be leaving the Lions after Super Rugby to join English club Gloucester.
Ackermann has been mulling over whether or not to accept the offer for the last few weeks, but on Monday it was revealed that he will be making the move away from the Johannesburg-based franchise.
Despite robust discussions over the past few weeks as the Lions desperately sought to retain the services of Ackermann, he has ultimately decided to take up what is believed to be a lucrative offer.
Ackermann will replace former Brumbies coach Laurie Fischer, while it's believed that current Lions assistant coach Swys de Bruin is the likely candidate to take over from Ackermann.
'I would be disappointed if anyone doubted my integrity and commitment to the Lions [until the end of the season],' he commented at a press conference at Ellis Park. 'It was quite an emotional time to tell the players this morning. They are more than just players to me, I owe it to them and to the union to be 100% committed until the end of the season.
'My journey elsewhere will only start once the job is done here,' he added.
Ackermann had initially confirmed the decision in a letter addressed to the Lions where he stated: 'I have come to a crossroad in my career, and believe that my coaching journey needs to change in order for me to grow [as a coach].'
To date, the Lions have played in 112 matches overall, which includes 57 Super Rugby games, with a record of 34 wins, 24 losses and one draw. He has been selected as SA Rugby Coach of the Year for the last three consecutive years and coached the SA A side in 2016.
'I hope he grows in this new chapter of his career and returns to South Africa an even better coach,' Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli commented. 'Ackers is a valuable asset to the Lions, our community and our culture, and more importantly to SA Rugby. Johan will be missed, but we have experienced coaches in our structures and that will ensure continuity.'
Gloucester's director of rugby David Humphreys said they looked forward to welcoming Ackermann to Kingsholm ahead of the 2017-18 season.
'He is one of the top coaching talents in world rugby, and it's a significant coup for the club to recruit someone of his calibre.
'We were particularly impressed by his proven ability to take a team that has under-performed, and turned them into Championship contenders… The way that the Lions play in Super Rugby under his leadership has attracted many admirers around the world, as they have managed to create a winning brand, but are also capable of playing an attractive style of rugby.'
Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images
