Ackermann, the bet and the beard

Ackermann has faith in his players, but he did not expect to start looking like Santa Claus as a result of a bet he entered into.

Many have wondered why the usually well-groomed Lions mentor stopped shaving.

He has previously made mention of the 'bet' he lost, but never really provided much detail.

Ackermann - speaking ahead of the Lions' final Super Rugby league match of the season, when they face the Sharks in Durban on Saturday - said it started early in the season.

The players challenged him to only shave his beard when they lose a match.

And the only loss was to the Jaguares in Round Three, on March 11.

Eleven wins, two byes and a June break later and Ackermann is still growing his facial hair.

"Hopefully we go all the way," he told rugby365, adding: "I won't mind [keeping] the long beard and the players derive pleasure from that.

"I told them: 'You are spoiling your own pictures, having me in there.'

"They are happy they took the bet.

"However, I never expected that, after our loss [against the Jaguares] in Round Three, it would last till now."

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com