Coach Johan Ackermann

Ackermann departs with home final

The Lions put a poor first half behind them to beat the Wellington Hurricanes 44-29 in their semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday, setting up a grandstand finish for Ackermann before he leaves for English side Gloucester at the end of the campaign.

"It's amazing, I'm grateful and it's still unreal," an emotional Ackermann told reporters.

"That's what I always hoped for, that the day I finished here would be in front of our home fans and on our own field.