Durban – We know of the winds of change and how they wreak havoc in politics, but when it comes to South African rugby those winds can be of hurricane proportions.
The developments at the Shark Tank are a good example. Four months ago, Brian van Zyl was the executive officer of the Sharks and John Plumtree was the coach, as has been the case for the past five years. The atmosphere was breathless. Not even a faint breeze.
Plumtree was the most confident he had ever been in a pre-season. He felt he could take on the world because his squad had its best depth ever under his stewardship. Every position barring scrumhalf had three very good players queuing up and competing for the jersey. The troublesome midfield had at last been sorted out. There were quality locks and props and loose forwards to burn.
The Sharks quite rightly were tipped by many to go one further than they had the previous year when they were beaten finalists. They were certainly favourites to top the South African conference.
That was February. In June the Sharks are tenth on the log, Van Zyl has been encouraged to take up his retirement, John Smit has been appointed as the new executive officer, Brendan Venter is in the newly created position of director of coaching, and the axed Plumtree is suing the Sharks for allegedly reneging on an assurance that his contract was to be extended by two years.
Who could have predicted that? A shake-up in the Tank if ever there was one. But what would have transpired if the Sharks were top of the log?
In truth, things probably would have changed anyway. It starts at the very top at Kings Park where a new-look board under a new chairman in dynamic businessman Stephen Saad has been intent on freshening up the Sharks.
Sentiment has gone out the window. Tough decisions have been made, the Sharks are being reinvented and there are going to be casualties along the way. As they say, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.
Still, it is tough on Plumtree. In their last five campaigns, the Sharks have made the final each time, winning two of them.
One of the losses came in the Super Rugby final in New Zealand.
He has every right to feel hard done by. He gave his all to the Sharks, above and beyond the call of duty. He was a Shark to the core, and one hopes that when the disappointment wanes, he will continue to have a soft spot for the team he served so well.
At the same time, John Smit is a man of integrity and considerable rugby acumen. He will have his reasons for making the call to change the coach, and he has done it for what he believes is best for the Sharks. Primarily, he simply feels the time is right for change.
Enter Brendan Venter. Who could possibly have predicted that the eccentric doctor would one day be in charge of the Sharks? It has just never been his neck of the woods.
He is not well known in this part of the world, but what is known is that he is highly respected for his rugby knowledge and coaching ability. The Saracens players and coaches swear by him, with Smit obviously having been one of the Saracens number for the past two years.
It is a brave new world the Sharks are entering under their new administrative leadership. Bold calls have been made, and that should be acknowledged, but, as always, it is results that will convince the public. – The Mercury