Sharks chief executive Marco Masotti has confirmed that the Durban franchise plans to bring in an experienced figure to inject fresh ideas and provide additional support to the coaching team, amid a challenging start to their URC campaign.
John Plumtree will step down as Sharks head coach by mutual agreement at the end of the 2025-26 season and a technical consultant will be appointed “as a matter of urgency” to assist with on-field performance and the team’s game model.
“The idea is to bring in an experienced person to help and offer fresh ideas and experience,” Masotti told Netwerk24. “John Plumtree fully supports this initiative and will have a say in the appointment and how that person is used.”
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Masotti explained that the Sharks deliberately avoided making wholesale structural changes early in the season, preferring instead to adapt their system gradually.
“We wanted to adjust our system in the early part of the season rather than blow it up,” he said. “We want to be successful this season. Next season, we’ll have a structure in place that allows us to keep growing.”
While acknowledging that the Sharks expected a tough start to the campaign due to injuries and the absence of key players, Masotti expressed confidence in the group’s long-term trajectory.
“I appreciate that it’s been difficult for our coaches,” he admitted. “We’ve also got a tough run of games coming up and will have to be strategic about how we use the squad.
“But we have high ambitions and expect the team to start performing.”
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