Sharks coach John Plumtree says the moment has arrived for him to step aside from the top job at Kings Park, clearing the way for former Springbok JP Pietersen to assume leadership of the team following Sunday evening’s Champions Cup match against Toulouse.

Pietersen, who played 137 times for the Sharks and has been serving as Currie Cup coach, will guide the side for the first time in next week’s home Champions Cup clash with Saracens. The match has been circled internally for weeks and is set to feature the return of a number of frontline Springboks.

Plumtree had initially been scheduled to step down at the end of the season in May. Instead, he told Independent Media that his “battery is drained,” bringing forward a transition that had been quietly discussed behind the scenes.

“I’m stepping aside but not away,” Plumtree said. He met with Sharks owner Marco Masotti before last week’s match against Connacht in Galway, explaining both his reasons for stepping back and how he believes he can continue contributing to the organisation. Plumtree also recommended Pietersen as the long-term solution on the touchline. Masotti approved the plan.

Plumtree said the decision followed the internal restructuring completed after the team’s loss to the Scarlets on October 25.

“I needed time to reflect on what happened and what is best for the Sharks going forward,” he said. “It is not about me, but I know how hard I have worked over the last two and a half years, and I feel that if we are going to fix the Sharks, it needs to be done properly.”

The veteran coach said the franchise needs a figure who understands its identity at the centre of future plans.

“The big picture is I want a Sharks man in charge in the future,” Plumtree said. “But for this to become a successful venture, the support system around the head coach has to be very, very good.”

That support, Plumtree admitted, has not always been present during his tenure, during which various factions within the organisation operated in disconnection. He said ensuring Pietersen does not face the same isolation is now a key priority.

“Support for JP has to be a big part of the improvement of the Sharks going forward,” he said. “So I am going to be really passionate about growing JP in this role, because I know what is required.”

Plumtree said he will remain involved with the squad and guide Pietersen through the transition.

“JP and I are going through the details of what that will look like, because most of it will be around helping his load,” Plumtree said. “He wants to have a big role on the coaching side of it. And I get that, because he is young and wants to have an influence on the field.”

Pietersen, however, will also face demands beyond the training pitch.

“There are other dynamics to the business that take a lot of your time,” Plumtree said. “It is things like recruitment, the day-to-day handling of players’ affairs, the medical team, the list goes on. There are lots of different dynamics in your day-to-day job at the Sharks, and it cannot all land on one man’s head.”

Plumtree, who has coached the All Blacks, Ireland and the Hurricanes in addition to two stints in Durban, said he believes Pietersen possesses the attributes needed to succeed.

“He has some very good attributes for a future Sharks head coach, as long as he is supported,” Plumtree said. “JP has the unique ability to connect with the youngest player in the team and the oldest, and all different colours, all different languages. He has a beautiful way about how he goes about that.”

Plumtree said the best coaches are shaped by the influences they gather along the way.

“The big thing that I have just said to JP is to never forget that I will be around to help and guide him, but he has to make sure he stays himself,” he said.

Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Friday, Dec. 53 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean DaugerSaturday, Dec. 68 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus Versfeld12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBD3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The RecSunday, Dec. 78 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, KingsholmDec. 7-9 (TBD)Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBDInvestec Champions Cup Round 2 Friday, Dec. 123 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSaturday, Dec. 138 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun StadiumSunday, Dec. 148 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton GateInvestec Champions Cup Round 3 Friday, Jan. 93 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBDSaturday, Jan. 108 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSunday, Jan. 118 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX StadiumInvestec Champions Cup Round 4 Friday, Jan. 163 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The RecSaturday, Jan. 178 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, KingsholmSunday, Jan. 188 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun StadiumInvestec Champions Cup Fixtures By Pool

Here’s a breakdown of the schedule by pool:

Investec Champions Cup Pool 1Round 1Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community StadiumSaturday, Dec. 6 – 8 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX StadiumSunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest WallonRound 2Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings ParkSaturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-MichelinSaturday, Dec. 13 – 3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun StadiumRound 3 Saturday, Jan. 10 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-MichelinSaturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community StadiumSunday, Jan. 11 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX StadiumRound 4 Saturday, Jan. 17 – 8 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings ParkSaturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest WallonSunday, Jan. 18 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun StadiumInvestec Champions Cup Pool 2Round 1 Saturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The RecSunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, KingsholmDec. 7–9 (TBD): Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBDRound 2 Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí ChaoimhSunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-FabreSunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix MayolRound 3Friday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-FabreFriday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBDSunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix MayolRound 4 Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The RecSaturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond ParkSaturday, Jan. 17 – 3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, KingsholmInvestec Champions Cup Pool 3Round 1 Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean DaugerSaturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel DeflandreSaturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBDRound 2 Friday, Dec. 12 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSaturday, Dec. 13 – 8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay StadiumSunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham StoopRound 3 Saturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBDSaturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford RoadSunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham StoopRound 4Saturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean DaugerSaturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL StadiumSunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel DeflandreInvestec Champions Cup Pool 4Round 1 Saturday, Dec. 6 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus VersfeldSaturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y ScarletsSunday, Dec. 7 – 8 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du HameauRound 2Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-DelmasSunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s GardensSunday, Dec. 14 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton GateRound 3 Saturday, Jan. 10 – 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus VersfeldSaturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y ScarletsSunday, Jan. 11 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-DelmasRound 4Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du HameauSunday, Jan. 18 – 8 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton GateSunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s GardensHow To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby

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