Bulls to appoint Boishaai DOR Neil de Bruin as backs coach

The Bulls are on the brink of furthering their coaching reshuffle, with Neil de Bruin set to be appointed as backs coach in a move that will reunite him with head coach Johan Ackermann — an outcome few within the inner circle will find surprising.

Neil’s expected arrival follows the departure of assistant coaches Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw after a five-match losing streak across all competitions, a run that forced decisive action from the Pretoria union.

Currently the director of rugby at Paarl Boys’ High, Neil has a long-standing and proven working relationship with Ackermann. The pair spent four successful seasons together in Japan Rugby League One, working across the Red Hurricanes and D-Rocks franchises and earning a reputation as a cohesive and highly effective coaching combination. That trust runs even deeper, with Ackermann having previously formed a strong coaching partnership with Neil’s father, Swys, during the Lions’ highly successful 2013–2017 period.

Interestingly Neil’s move is yet another in a succession of coaches that the Pretoria based union has acquired from schoolboy rugby.

While Neil was widely believed to be high on Ackermann’s wishlist, it is understood the move only gained traction within the past week. As recently as November, he had indicated he was settled in his current role, with no expectation of an imminent departure.

Back in Paarl, key stakeholders are currently on holiday, meaning formal engagement at governance level is only expected once structures reconvene in January 2026. One scenario being considered is prioritising the appointment of a new headmaster before any search for a rugby replacement is triggered, allowing that appointment to form part of the broader decision-making process.

What impact did Neil make at Boishaai?

Neil was a hit from day one.

Those who worked closely with Neil point to a blend of role clarity and personal leadership as the defining factors of his influence.

From a structural perspective, his role brought:

• A holistic view of the rugby programme, with aligned systems and standardised methods across all teams
• The creation of the “Boishaai Way”, a unified blueprint for players and coaches
• Modernised preparation and coaching practices
• Consistent upskilling and support of coaches throughout the system
• Crucially, significant relief of pressure on the head coach, becoming the trusted point of contact for ideas, issues and problem-solving

Just as significant was Neil’s personal impact. His prior working relationship with head coach Sean Erasmus at the Lions proved an added advantage, ensuring alignment and trust from the outset. Widely regarded as an ideal cultural fit, Neil brought high emotional intelligence and an open, inclusive leadership style that resonated strongly within the school environment. His values closely mirrored those of the institution, allowing him to earn trust across all levels, while his attacking insight and calm authority saw him become a trusted partner at the top of the programme.