Robert du Preez has confirmed that Braam van Straaten and Alan Zondagh have been added to the Sharks' coaching staff ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby tournament.

Van Straaten recently relocated to KwaZulu-Natal, where he is the director of rugby at St Charles College, while Zondagh was a free agent after parting ways with the beleaguered Boland Rugby Union.

Speaking in his first official capacity as Sharks Super Rugby coach after the resignation of Gary Gold, Du Preez highlighted the need for specialist coaches as the reason for the two appointments.

'The fact that we want to play in finals and win trophies, won't happen overnight. But AB Zondagh is a specialist skills guy, who is going to be looking after the skills at the union. And we've got Braam in to help with the kicking,' Du Preez said.

'I think that is the way forward. I'm very open to people who can help us in any way. I've always said that we have to make improvements all the time. I'm very confident that we will make that step up and make those improvements. It's a big task ahead but we're certainly up for it,' he added.

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