Former Springbok wing JP Pietersen has opened up on the challenges of transitioning from being a player to his current role as the Sharks’ Currie Cup assistant coach.

Since calling time on his playing career a year ago, Pietersen has been earning his coaching badges and working his way through the junior coaching ranks at the Sharks.

In December, the Sharks confirmed that Pietersen had been appointed as the team’s assistant coach for the Currie Cup campaign, under head coach Etienne Fynn.

The Sharks have had an excellent start to this year’s Currie Cup, winning all three their games and sitting atop the table with 14 points.

However, during a media conference on Wednesday, Pietersen admitted that it has been a challenge to transition from player to coach.

“The first year of coaching is never easy,” said Pietersen. “I think you can prepare yourself as much as you can, but the transition from player to coach is not easy.

“What helps me is that I played the game so much. I can understand what the players feel and what to get out of training.”

Pietersen played over 180 games for the Sharks in a 15-year career with the Durban team between 2005 and 2020. He also earned 70 Test caps for the Springboks between 2006 and 2015 and won the World Cup in 2007.

“As a [former] player, I get to share my experience with players and different situations they are going to get into,” Pietersen explained. “You also need a player to have a feel for the game and understand the game themselves.

“It’s only my second year in coaching and I am still learning a lot. Whatever feedback I can give to players I try to communicate as much as possible, so we can have a good understanding.”

Photo: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images