VIDEO: Sharks coaching shake-up stuns Bok star

KENSINGTON, LONDON: Springbok scrumhalf Grant Williams was surprised to learn that his coach at the Sharks, John Plumtree, will vacate his role at the end of the season.

Rugby365 broke the news to Williams, who seemed surprised and a little shocked when he heard what had transpired at his Durban-based club.

“Wow. I didn’t check my social media. That’s new,” a surprised Williams reacted to the news.

According to an official statement from the Sharks, the decision to vacate the role is by mutual agreement. Plumtree will transition into a mentoring and advisory position within the organisation.

Williams is in London with the Springbok team and was not aware of the changes planned by the Sharks to their management ahead of the end of the 2025/26 season.

The No.9 spoke highly of the former All Black assistant coach, saying it has been ‘amazing’.

“I think he has been instrumental in how he sees the game and how he wants me to play. Obviously, he coached the All Blacks as well, so [he has] great knowledge and understanding of the game.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him.”

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The Sharks only managed to record their first victory in this season’s United Rugby Championship last weekend when they beat the winless Scarlets 29-19, but it was far from a polished performance.

And even though they fielded another team loaded with Springboks, the Sharks battled to break down the determined Scarlets side, while they suffered lapses in defence to keep the visitors in the game.

Williams told Rugby365 it was difficult to pinpoint what the critical issues are that is hampering the star-studded Durbanites.

“We’ve been away with the Springboks for so long. We only joined them two weeks ago. We didn’t do a pre-season with them, so it’s difficult to say.

“I don’t really have an answer. Two seasons ago, we also had that, and we managed to turn it around, so I’m sure we can turn it around again.”

According to Williams, having the Springboks join the side a few weeks into the competition shouldn’t be ‘disruptive’.

“The number of Springboks that come back and join should boost the union. And I think we should learn from each other.

“I need to adapt and learn from players like Jaden Hendrikse, Ross Braude, Bradley Davids, Tiaan Fourie – all the No.9s there – just to make sure that I am up to speed with how the Sharks are doing things.

“So I don’t think it is disruptive, I think maybe we just need time together.”

The Springboks take on Japan at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. Williams has been included on the bench for that clash with Cobus Reinach set to start in the halfback combination with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.