Sharks owner Marco Masotti has confirmed that the Durban-based franchise plans to bring in an experienced technical consultant with “fresh ideas”.
After a poor start to the URC, the Sharks announced on Wednesday that John Plumtree will step down as Sharks head coach by mutual agreement at the end of the 2025-26 season and a technical consultant 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 Rapport. “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.
“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.
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“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.”
Coach Plumtree arrived at the Sharks in 1988. He cares deeply about our club and is a special coach. We won 3 major trophies since he returned to Durban, and our club is stronger and more resilient because of him. There is a lot of rugby left this season — and I hope our fans… https://t.co/tl0MwBNvpQ
— Marco Masotti (@MarcoMasotti_) October 30, 2025
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
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