EXPLAINER | Sharks' new coaching structure for 2022/23 season

The Sharks on Sunday confirmed their new coaching structure for the 2022/23 season.

As previously announced, Neil Powell will join as director of rugby when his commitments with the Blitzboks finish after the Rugby World Cup Sevens in September.

Powell will be the head coaching honcho, with all coaches reporting directly to him.

Sean Everitt remains head coach of the Sharks' United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup team, while Joey Mongalo, who was recently lured from the Bulls coaching set-up, will oversee the Currie Cup team and junior rugby.

A new addition to the Sharks' coaching structure for the European competitions is Yannick Bru as breakdown coach. Bru is a former France international and a dual Heineken Cup winner with Toulouse. 

Bru was deputy coach in Toulouse (2007-2012) and France (2012-2017) before becoming head coach at Bayonne (2018-2022). He guided the Basque club back into the Top 14 last season as Pro D2 champions.

Warren Whiteley (defence), Noel McNamara (attack), Phiwe Nomlomo (skills) and Akvsenti Giorgadze (scrums) all remain in their roles from last season.

Ettienne Fynn, the Currie Cup head coach from the past season, will work under Mongalo. The other coaches in this stable include former Springbok wingers JP Pietersen and Lwazo Mvovo, Mike Vowles and Luvuyiso "MB" Lusaseni.

"Neil will be at the helm, to develop and oversee all rugby structures within the 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," Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said in a statement.

"He will oversee the United Rugby Championship, as well as our first foray in the