'This is a sad development': Sharks and Everitt part ways

NEWS: Sharks head coach Sean Everitt has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

In a statement released on Monday, the Durban-based side said they have parted ways with the 52-year-old “by mutual consent”.

The news comes after the Sharks suffered a humiliating 0-35 defeat to Cardiff at Kings Park in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday.

“This decision has been made in the best interests of the team moving forward,” said Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee.

“Our Director of Rugby, Neil Powell, will oversee the remainder of the United Rugby Championship campaign as well as our first foray in the Champions Cup, which kicks off on the 10th of December. Neil will be ably supported by the rest of our current senior coaching structure, which remains unchanged.”

Coetzee added: “We thank Sean for his invaluable contribution to the Sharks over the past few years, especially navigating through a challenging COVID-19 period.

“He will always remain a part of the Sharks family. I would like to take this opportunity to wish him and his family the very best moving forward.”

Everitt’s history at the Sharks dates to 2008, when he was appointed as an assistant in a Currie Cup winning year, and he has successfully come through the ranks being involved in five Currie Cup finals.

He notably coached the unbeaten Sharks Under-19s to the SA Rugby U19 Championship title in 2018, and thereafter he assumed the role as head coach of the 2020 Super Rugby campaign, where they were top of the log when Covid brought an abrupt end to the campaign.

He has served the union faithfully as a junior and then senior coach and navigated the team to two Currie Cup finals and their first United Rugby Championship season in 2021/22, which saw them ending fifth on the log out of 16 teams and qualifying for the Champions Cup.

Sean Everitt stated: “This is a sad development for me and sometimes the results don’t always match the tireless effort that has been put in.

“I have been a part of this union for close on 15 years and I’ve always had the best interests of this team at heart. I leave with no regrets.”

“I would like to thank the Sharks for the great memories and the wonderful opportunities that has been given to me at the helm of this fantastic team. I wish the Sharks every success, as the season progresses.”