Will Teichmann come to Sharks' rescue?
The question, however, is will he answer the call?
Teichmann, a former Bok and Sharks captain, has been named as the man to rescue the team from the financial and political mire that seems to be affecting them on the field.
According to a report in the Sunday Tribune the television pay-station that owns 40 percent of the franchise is concerned about dividends at Kings Park and have approached Teichmann to rescue the franchise.
Titans Cricket chief Jacques Faul was offered the job, but declined.
An urgent meeting was called in an e-mail sent to Kwa-Zulu Natal Rugby Union council members. Top of the agenda is the option to sell nine percent of the Sharks to the TV channel – which would allow the recapitalisation of debt owed.
It is well documented that the Sharks did not produce their financials at the AGM held in April, and have still to do so.
High-ranking officials have insisted the union is flush and that former Chief Executive Brian van Zyl has been a mischief-maker in broadcasting their allegedly parlous financial situation in the media.
Six weeks ago the union sent an e-mail to the chairmen of the clubs saying that the second half of the annual grant to the clubs could not be paid due to 'financial constraints'.
This was despite union President Graham Mackenzie being quoted saying the Sharks had no financial concerns and had increased revenue since Van Zyl retired in July 2013.
A Durban newspaper last week claimed that elements of the hierarchy had been caught conducting a smear campaign against Van Zyl in the media.
The Sharks' social media officer, Chris Micklewood, allegedly acting on behalf of a superior, attempted to get East Coast Radio sports correspondent Gareth Jenkinson to publish a letter on the station's website slamming Van Zyl with Jenkinson's byline.
However, Jenkinson declined.
A few days later the same letter was published in The Mercury, under the name of Benedict Chanakira, a young Zimbabwean journalist who freelances for various websites.
Chanakira admitted he had not written the anti-Van Zyl letter and had been sweet-talked into putting his name to it.
He then publicly apologised to Van Zyl, stating he had been naive and was angry he had been manipulated.
Teichmann is away with family in Portugal and not contactable. However, it is believed he is considering the offer, but has not yet made up his mind.
John Allan, a former Springbok and Scotland hooker, said Teichmann would give short shrift to anything dodgy at the Sharks.
"Teich [Teichmann] will sort out the Sharks," Allen told the Sunday Tribune.
"He was the best captain I played under, be it my time at Scotland under David Sole or under Francois Pienaar. Gary does not suffer fools gladly, and has a passion for the Sharks."
Another former Sharks and Springbok player, Mark Andrews, spoke highly of Teichmann saying he would be very capable in the job.
"He started his own business and has 15 years' experience in dealing with the politics of operating in Africa. He is a quintessential rugby man with a huge love of the Sharks," he told the weekend newspaper.
"He understands the frustrations of the average supporter and has the skill set to establish the right structures at the Sharks, which is a complex business".
"He would be fantastic for the Sharks. I hope they get him on board. He has the respect of all rugby people."
Source: Sunday Tribune
