JP Pietersen poised to take over from John Plumtree as Sharks head coach

Sharks coach John Plumtree is set to step back from the head coach role at the Durban team from next week, with former Springbok JP Pietersen taking the reins.

Pietersen has been an up-and-coming coach at the Sharks for some time and has had success guiding youngsters in the Sharks’ Currie Cup teams.

Plumtree is in Toulouse with the team for the Champions Cup match against the multiple champions. This would be his last game as Sharks head coach. The Sharks are set to make a formal announcement later on Friday.

Six weeks ago, the Sharks announced that Plumtree would be standing down as head coach at the end of the season, in May next year, but this has been brought forward.

The Sharks have had an unfortunate start to their season, with just one win in the United Rugby Championship, and the situation has been tough on Plumtree, with him knowing that he is to be replaced.

It is understood that the change in plan was initiated by Plumtree, who asked for a meeting with Sharks owner Marco Masotti in Galway last week ahead of the URC match against Connacht.

Plumtree will step into the background and will mentor Pietersen, but it will be the 39-year-old firmly in charge. Pietersen has been involved in various roles at the Sharks since he retired as a player — between 2006 and 2016, he played 137 games for the Sharks.

The Sharks will be understrength against Toulouse as they target next week’s home game against Saracens, where they will have their Springboks back in action. This will likely be Pietersen’s first match at the helm.