The Sharks are set to make a decision on the coaching team\u2019s future, following the removal of John Plumtree as head coach.<\/p>\n
Springboks great JP Pietersen took over the reins on an interim basis following the 56-19 defeat to Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup, and there has been a notable uptick in performances and results.<\/p>\n
The Sharks<\/a> closed out 2025 with victories over Saracens and the Bulls in the first two post-Plumtree<\/a> fixtures. A narrow defeat to the Lions followed before an understrength team put up a good fight in a 26-10 loss to Sale Sharks.<\/p>\n However, the side has since won three matches on the trot, beating Clermont before back-to-back victories over the previously unbeaten Stormers in the URC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The favourite for the position<\/p>\n According to Rapport<\/a>, the team\u2019s performances under the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning winger have made him the \u2018favourite\u2019 to be officially appointed as the head coach, removing the interim prefix.<\/p>\n Pietersen was involved in the Sharks\u2019 youth structures and was the Currie Cup team\u2019s head coach. There is an \u2018unexpected twist\u2019 according<\/a> to the publication, as Plumtree could remain involved with the Sharks for another year in a consulting role.<\/p>\n This comes as a review of the structures in Durban, led by Sharks great and former Springbok Stefan Terblanche, ex-assistant coach Grant Bashford and the highly-regarded Alan Zondagh continues.<\/p>\n The publication also detailed a further update on the assistant coaches in Durban, with scrum coach Philip Lemmer expected to remain on the payroll, while the same is true for Neil Powell, though the latter\u2019s remit is expected to be adjusted.<\/p>\n The Sharks are locked in talks with defence coach Joey Mongalo around his future, the report adds, while attack coach Dave Williams could be replaced.<\/p>\n Zondagh\u2019s son AB is the \u2018only surprise package\u2019 according to Rapport, as he could return to Durban. The 39-year-old is currently employed by French Top 14 club Lyon but enjoyed a six-year spell at the Sharks before heading to Toulouse in 2019.<\/p>\n He also had a stint with Scotland before departing that position in October 2023 to link up with Lyon.<\/p>\n Sharks v Stormers: Five takeaways as the \u2018Durban bounce\u2019 continues under \u2018full attention\u2019 skipper and \u2018smart rookie\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n John Dobson calls for \u2018a change in behaviour\u2019 from Stormers players after successive losses as costly areas identified<\/a><\/p>\n The best for JP<\/p>\n Marco Masotti, who is the controlling shareholder of the Sharks, spoke glowingly about Pietersen and said he wants to build something \u2018special\u2019 around him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we looking for now? JP Pietersen is the ideal person,\u201d he told The Lekker Rugby Pod<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe grew up at the Sharks, he\u2019s a World Cup winner, he cares deeply about the franchise, he\u2019s respected by senior Springboks, now, it\u2019s up to us to help him because this is an incredibly hard [job].\u201d<\/p>\n Masotti added, \u201cWe had a number of issues at the Sharks, including the junior system and the senior system not being aligned and communicating well enough. JP knows a lot of the junior players, and you see that in some of the recent team selections\u2026<\/p>\n Asked about the plan on Pietersen, he confirmed that Pietersen would be central in their decision-making: \u201cWe are not going to kick the can down the road. You are going to be hearing from us in early to mid-February about what we\u2019re doing going forward.<\/p>\n