With tears in his eyes, an emotional JP Pietersen echoed the words “I am probably going to cry” as he spoke about wanting to restore pride to the Sharks jersey, not through words, but through action.
“The one thing I want to bring back is the fight and the pride for the jersey, but not by talking, by doing.”
The Sharks legend, who won the World Cup with the Springboks in 2007, was announced as the interim head coach to replace outgoing coach John Plumtree for the remainder of the season – being promoted from his assistant coach position.
Pietersen’s coaching career began at the Sharks after retiring in 2021, starting in junior roles, progressing to U20 Head Coach, and then taking over as Currie Cup Head Coach in 2024, where he led the team to the Currie Cup title – the Sharks’ first title since 2018 – despite a young squad.
Pietersen has demonstrated a calm authority, game understanding, and people-centred leadership that mark him as a coach of the future.
As the Sharks endured a difficult spell – winning just one of their seven matches in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and the Investec Champions Cup, the former Boks winger has vowed to fight from the first whistle to the last.
“I think, not thinking, but I know that when we play on Saturday, we are going to fight for 80 minutes,” he said.
“That’s what they want to see from outside in, and that’s what the fans are going to see, that we are going to fight for 80 minutes because the Sharks are a team that never gives up.”
With their rich history and deep heritage, Pietersen is determined to help the Sharks reach their immense potential as he takes the helm of a team that he shares so much affection for.
“We always find a way to be in a game or win a game, so I’m getting emotional, but it’s cool because it is close to my heart.”
Pietersen has a side laden with Springbok internationals back at his disposal as he prepares for his first game in charge at this level – against English powerhouses Saracens – at Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium on Saturday [17:15].
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