Johan Ackermann has confirmed he is in negotiations with Gloucester over a potential contract extension.

Ackermann is currently halfway through his contract with the English Premiership club, which is due to expire at the end of the 2019-20 season.

However, the former Lions coach will be one of the favourites to replace Rassie Erasmus when the Springbok head coach focuses on his director of rugby role after the World Cup.

Speaking to Gloucestershire Live on Thursday, Ackermann said that while he is focused on his current duties, he has started talking to the club about his contract.

‘I’ve still got a full season left on my contract. I’m still signed until June 2020, so it’s something that you are thinking of, considering your future and where you want to be, but we’ll take it day by day and see when it comes a bit closer to that time where the future lies.

‘We have started to talk with the club. That’s a thing that we’ll keep doing in the months to come, but from my side I want the team to perform first, that’s the most important thing for me at the moment.’

Gloucester currently sit fourth on the Premiership log, 19 points off leaders the Exeter Chiefs.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images