Ruan Ackermann's star rising in England

Cape Town - Ruan Ackermann has been named Aviva Premiership Player of the Month for November after a string off good showings for Gloucester.

Ackermann joined the English club with his father and coach, Johan Ackermann, following the completion of the 2017 Super Rugby season where they had been based in Johannesburg with the Lions. 

Considered one of the best South African coaches today, Johan Ackermann guided the Lions to back-to back Super Rugby finals before taking the Gloucester job. 

When he relocated, he took his 21-year-old son with him and any accusations of nepotism have now been well and truly extinguished. 

Ackermann's form has helped Gloucester climb into the top four in the Premiership table, with the No 8 considered key to the side's recent results. 

The Lions, meanwhile, took to Twitter to congratulate their former loose forward. 

Ackermann will not be eligible for Springbok selection next year due to SA Rugby's newly-implemented policy on overseas-based players. 

In non-World Cup years, only players with 30 Test caps or more who are based overseas can play for the Springboks.

Ackermann has yet to represent South Africa.

Ruan Ackermann named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month https://t.co/n4yzIipOHr pic.twitter.com/xBeKrNxcUO

— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) December 6, 2017

Well done @RuanAckermann we are proud of you. Once a Lion always a Lion. https://t.co/czKKc9oq6A

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) December 7, 2017