Pietersen: 'The transition to coach is not easy'

SPOTLIGHT: Springbok legend JP Pietersen says it has not been all plain sailing during his transition from a player to a coach.

Pietersen played over 180 games for the Sharks and he was capped 70 times for the Springboks.

He was a member of Jake White’s World Cup-winning Springbok team in 2007.

A year ago, he officially called time on an illustrious playing career to take up a junior coaching role at the Sharks.

In December, he was officially announced as an assistant coach for the union’s Currie Cup campaign with Etienne Fynn as head coach.

And things are looking good so far with Sharks sitting on top of the standings with three wins from their three matches so far.

“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.”

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He added: “As a [former] player, I get to share my experience with players and different situations they are going to get into.

“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.”

Pietersen said he is learning a lot from Fynn, who is also a former Springbok.

“I think Etienne has been coaching for more than 20 years so he is a guy to learn from and just to experience the calmness he brings over our coaching staff,” said Pietersen.

“I am benefitting from Etienne and I hope I am also helping him with my coaching.”

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