JP Pietersen is the Sharks’ new permanent head coach.
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- The Sharks have appointed JP Pietersen as permanent head coach with immediate effect.
- The Durban franchise also announced several changes to its management structures at Kings Park.
- Former Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan will take on a new role as chief of staff at the Sharks from June this year.
- For more rugby news, go to News24 Sport’s dedicated section.
JP Pietersen has been appointed as permanent head coach of the Sharks with immediate effect amid several structural changes announced by the Durban franchise on Wednesday.
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Pietersen had overseen five wins and two losses (Lions and Sale Sharks) in a remarkable revival after a dismal start to the season under John Plumtree, who was in his second coaching stint at Kings Park.
Before his appointment as interim coach, the former Springbok and Sharks winger had been employed as attack coach alongside Dave Williams and had also overseen the Sharks’ Currie Cup campaign.
“This jersey has shaped who I am,” Pietsersen said in the statement.
“The Sharks have given me everything in my career, so to be entrusted with leading this team is something I do not take lightly. I am incredibly proud, but more than that, I am hungry to keep pushing this group forward.”
The announcement also included several changes within the Sharks’ management structures.
Former Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan will take on a new role as chief of staff from June to support the franchise’s long-term growth ambitions.
“At the Cheetahs, Duncan led the organisation through a period of structural change while strengthening operational resilience and commercial foundations,” the statement said.
“In his new role, Duncan will focus on strategic coordination, governance alignment and execution across all aspects of the business.”
Former director of rugby Neil Powell, who had been shifted to an operational role after Plumtree’s move upstairs, will now be the head of Junior Rugby at the Sharks, where he will manage all the Junior Rugby departments and staff, including participation in the Under 20 Cup, the Sharks Academy and Sharks Women’s Rugby.
“He has a mandate to identify, develop, prepare and improve young Sharks rugby players for the demands of the professional game and assist with the player pathway development.”
Other changes include the arrival of Durbanite Scott Mathie from Edinburgh as attack coach, while the incumbent Williams shifts to a newly created role of general manager.
Williams will be accountable for “strategic direction and operational oversight of all high performance functions servicing senior and junior rugby, ensuring alignment across recruitment and player pathway structures to support the long-term competitiveness of the Sharks”.
The Sharks will take on the Lions in a rescheduled United Rugby Championship match at Ellis Park on Saturday. Kick-off is at 14:00.
