'I wasn't surprised' says Sharks legend Ndungane on coach Everitt's exit

Sharks legend Odwa Ndungane said the Sharks' decision to part ways with coach Sean Everitt didn't come as a surprise once Neil Powell ascended to the position of director of rugby.

Speaking on SuperSport's IsiXhosa Rugby magazine show Phaka, Ndungane, who played more than 100 Super Rugby and Currie Cup games for the Sharks, said the scope of what directors of rugby do in the South African rugby industry means head coaches may find themselves being sidelined.

Ndungane said Everitt's exit was always going to be difficult for the parties to go through, but Powell's appointment meant Everitt's exit was always on the wall.

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Everitt and the Sharks parted ways on Monday after Sunday's sickening 35-0 defeat to Cardiff in what was the Sharks' second home United Rugby Championship loss to European opposition over two seasons.

"I wasn't surprised, and I think this is a decision that they may have been looking to make for a while, especially when Neil was hired as the director of rugby," Ndungane said on the show.

"We know what a director of rugby does in the South African context. They don't assume the overarching role, they come in and coach.

"Neil initially came in as the defence coach, then switched him to the director of rugby position, so they found a suitable way to move Sean aside, even though it wasn't the right way of doing things.

"He's given his all for the Sharks and leaving like that is far from nice."

Ndungane though wasn't happy with how the Sharks' players abdicated their playing responsibilities in Sunday's forgettable outing.

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Ndungane noted