Cape Town - Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann and his star flyhalf Elton Jantjies were on Wednesday named as the Currie Cup coach and player of month respectively for September.

Ackermann’s calm assurance has the led the Lions to top of the standings as he has demonstrated an ability to keep his players focused on defending their 2011 Currie Cup title. He beat off the challenge of Griquas Coach Pote Human, who steered his side to three consecutive wins, pushing them into semi-final contention, after a slow start to their campaign.

Jantjies was instrumental in the Lions’ success during September with superb kicking and generalship of his team’s attacking play. The newly capped Springbok was named man of the match against the Free State Cheetahs and is one of the leading scorers with 77 points.

In true Currie Cup fashion, young players produced excellent performances were other contenders in Western Province centre Marcel Brache and hooker Scarra Ntubeni. Players such as Sarel Pretorius and Willie Le Roux also stepped up to the challenge and were worthy nominees.

The announcements were made at two separate handovers on Wednesday with Ackermann at Johannesburg Stadium and Jantjies at the Springbok team hotel. 

Both winners walked away with R10 000 each.