Everitt explains Powell's addition as Sharks director of rugby: 'We're always strengthening'

The first question that popped into everyone's mind when Neil Powell was announced as the new Sharks director of rugby last week was, 'How is it going to work?'

Directors of rugby in South Africa aren't known to love the airconditioned office too much and frequently get the itch to get into a tracksuit and coach.

When Jake White came into his role at the Bulls, he made it clear that he would be the coach, thereby rendering the then-head coach Pote Human redundant. Unsurprisingly, Human left Loftus shortly after.

READ | Everitt gushes over Springbok Etzebeth joining Sharks: 'It's a statement of intent'

The supreme director of rugby in the country, SA Rugby's Rassie Erasmus, is also not wont to shy away from the touchline, going as far as carrying water and transferring instructions just to get a piece of the Springbok action during the British & Irish Lions series last year.

But current Sharks head coach Sean Everitt explained the roles that each would assume now that Powell will pick up the new position at the end of his reign as SA Sevens coach after the Sevens World Cup later this year.

Everitt said he would focus predominantly on the senior Sharks team that's engrossed in the United Rugby Championship (URC), while Powell would take charge of the overall rugby systems at the franchise.

"We're always trying to strengthen our coaching group and managerial structures," said Everitt.

"Being a hands-on coach like I am, it is quite difficult at times when you're trying to manage the URC.

"This week is a good example. We're flying to Italy over the weekend and the Currie Cup team is carrying on with training and the Under-20s are in competition as well.

"We have a really good academy system at the Sharks but I'm not able to oversee all