Sharks confirm new coaching structure

The Sharks have confirmed their coaching structure following the appointment of Neil Powell as their new DoR back in February, with the franchise confirming the acquisition of a number of new faces.

Powell will take charge of the URC and Heineken Champions Cup. The Sharks will be busy in 2022/23, with the side competing in no less than five separate competitions.

"Neil will be at the helm, to develop and oversee all rugby structures within the Cell C Sharks and to ensure that our teams are aligned in terms of the identified coaching DNA. He will implement and manage an effective plan to achieve the franchise’s objectives, which is ultimately to win trophies”, stated Sharks CEO Dr Eduard Coetzee.

“He will oversee the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, as well as our first foray in the Heineken Champions Cup. As a globally respected and admired coach, we are confident that he will get the best out of players and brings a winning mindset to The Sharks.”

“Neil’s immediate focus and commitment over the next few months will be on the Blitzboks preparation for the Sevens World Cup in September and as proud South Africans, we wish him and the team much success. We look forward to him joining us before the start of the 2022/2023 VURC season starting in September.”

A statement said the side need to be more competitive despite a strong showing in this season's URC.

"To this end, we are excited to confirm the appointment of Yannick Bru as the senior team’s breakdown coach for the European competitions.

"Bru is a former France international and a dual Heineken Cup winner with Toulouse. He has coached at the highest level, as forwards coach for France for five years and five years at Toulouse, before spending the last four years as Head Coach at Bayonne. As a coach who has worked with high profiled players and teams, he is a great addition to our coaching unit and joins us on a one-year deal with the option to renew.

"The final addition to our new coaching structure is that of the highly regarded Joey Mongalo, who will work closely with our DoR, to oversee the Currie Cup competition and junior rugby at the Cell C Sharks. Mongalo’s coaching pedigree is impressive and is exactly what we need to take our rugby forward.

"For the past two seasons, Mongalo has fulfilled the role of senior defence coach at the Vodacom Bulls and comes to The Sharks as a highly rated member of the coaching world. He spent nine seasons with the Emirates Lions in various coaching roles between 2011 and 2019, leading their Under 19s to silverware in 2016 and 2017 as Head Coach, and as Defence Coach or their U19s, U21s, Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, Super Rugby (2018 finalists) and the Junior Springboks in 2016."