Former Springbok JP Pietersen, now head of junior rugby at the Sharks, can’t wait to work with head coach John Plumtree in Durban again.
A younger Pietersen’s stellar performances for the Sharks propelled him to the coveted position of Bok right wing, where he helped his country win the 2007 World Cup.
Back then, Plumtree was Dick Muir’s right-hand man, witnessing first hand Pietersen’s rise to the Test stage, and with their paths converging once more, their collaboration could spark a revival at The Shark Tank from next season.
Speaking in a Sharks media conference on Wednesday, the 36-year-old Pietersen told reporters: “He knows the Sharks’ DNA, inside-out, from the 1990s right up until the 2000s. He’ll bring back what Durban people like to see and I think he knows how to get them back and is excited.
“He’s very professional when it comes to rugby coaching. We haven’t seen each other for a long time now and he went and upskilled himself.
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“There’s more to Plum than what we last saw when he was here and, for me, it’s going to be exciting to learn from him.
“When I spoke to him, he said the last time he saw me, I wasn’t married and now that he’s back, I now have a wife and two kids. It’s been that long and I’m excited to see him.”
Pietersen, fueled by his own experiences and an unwavering dedication to nurturing young talent, eagerly takes on the challenge of crafting comprehensive pathways to unearth future Sharks stars and push Plumtree to his limits.
“I have to set up a whole program for the Under-19s, Under-20s and the Under-21s,” he said. “I’m very passionate about kids coming through to Durban. I was once a youngster and I know East London inside out.
“I have to develop players who are going into the Sharks system and my main job is to give Plum headaches and pressure from the bottom up.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images