The Sharks have announced that Blitzboks coach Neil Powell will be taking over as director of rugby when he completes his move to Durban later this year.

Powell was originally set to join the Sharks in a defence coach capacity after completing his duties with the Blitzboks at the Sevens World Cup in September.

However, on Sunday the Durban-based team confirmed that Powell will now take on the role as the director of rugby. Warren Whiteley will continue to serve as the defence coach.

The Sharks have not had a director of rugby since Brendan Venter filled the role in 2013. Venter was consulting with the Sharks last year, but was unable to commit full time to the position.

“Neil is an unbelievable human being and what he has developed and achieved with the Blitzboks has been phenomenal,” Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said.

“As director of rugby at the Sharks, Neil will oversee our entire on-field rugby programme and will support the various coaching teams within our set-up. He will be responsible for driving on-field high performance, team culture, standards and will ensure that there is a thorough process and a blueprint developed to achieve sustainable success at the highest level.

“Sean Everitt remains as head coach of the senior team and Sean will benefit from Neil’s experience, guidance and support as well as the operational structures that Neil will implement to ensure an optimal high performance working environment, which in turn drives performance on the field.”

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