Brendan Venter to return to full-time role at Saracens but Sharks not fully out the picture

For some time, Sharks owner Marco Masotti has been keen to nail Brendan Venter down to a coaching role, but it is Saracens, not the Sharks, who have won the day.

It will not bother Masotti — he is also a shareholder in the London club, and one of his long-term visions is to establish a twinning arrangement between the Sharks and Saracens. Before the new season kicked off, Saracens enjoyed a training camp in Durban, where they had use of the Kings Park facilities.

When John Plumtree stepped aside as head coach of the Sharks late last year, there was speculation that Venter would reprise the role he held in 2013.

That year, Venter stepped in for Plumtree, who had been sacked during his first term as coach, and led the Sharks to the Currie Cup title before returning to his Somerset West medical practice the following year.

Venter has a deep affection for Saracens, where he has coached successfully, and will take over from long-time director of rugby Mark McCall. McCall has been in charge of the heavyweight side for 15 consecutive years and has enjoyed ample success in both the Premiership and the Champions Cup.

This campaign will be his last in the hot seat. McCall is set to step aside as boss but will continue as a technical adviser and will join the board of directors.

“When Brendan Venter first joined Saracens as director of rugby in 2009, he recruited Mark McCall, his former centre partner at London Irish, as first-team coach,” a statement from Saracens read.

“Together they established the blueprint that would underpin the most successful period in the club’s history. When Brendan stepped away from being full-time at Saracens in early 2011, Mark became director of rugby, and Brendan took on the part-time role of technical adviser.

"He has performed that role, helping Mark and the other coaches for the last 15 years. That sense of continuity and collaboration will continue under the new structure.”

Venter said: “My association with Saracens has been continuous for more than 17 years.

"I’m incredibly proud to once again lead the rugby programme. Mark’s continued involvement was key to me accepting the appointment.”