Joey Mongalo, assistant coach for the Sharks team, expressed optimism about the future of the Durban-based team following a series of promising changes that led to former players taking on key leadership roles.
The Sharks had long been in a state of instability, particularly after the departure of long-time CEO Brian van Zyl at the end of 2012, who had managed the team for over two decades. In 2021, a consortium led by New York lawyer and former Durban native Marco Massotti acquired a controlling stake in the club.
Since then, numerous structural transformations have taken place at the highest levels of the organization, yet success remained elusive in the United Rugby Championship and the elite Champions Cup. Nevertheless, assistant coach Joey Mongalo is convinced that the Sharks have finally established structure, laying the groundwork for sustainable success.
Mongalo, who previously played for the Junior Springboks and Bulls, and later worked as a coach for the Bulls and Lions, joined the Sharks in 2023 when John Plamtree began his second term as head coach. Holding a degree in industrial psychology, Mongalo utilized elements of his education when analyzing the club's changes during a press conference on Tuesday.
Structural Changes in the Club
Mongalo believes that the most significant change has been the creation of a stable system where everyone understands their role. He noted that the Sharks traditionally experienced many changes: 'I think to give a good answer, you need to go back and say that traditionally the Sharks have gone through a huge number of changes.' He added that over the last five or ten years, there were about thirty assistant coaches or five to six head coaches, which hindered the team from forming an identity.
Currently, in Mongalo's view, a comprehensive analysis of the Sharks as a system has been conducted. He explained that in psychology, a system has a goal, parts, and interconnections between those parts. 'So, the main parts have finally been resolved,' he stated. He listed key elements: the owner, the appointed CEO, and Dave Williams, a former attack coach, appointed as General Manager. Furthermore, a head of staff, Rory Duncan, a former Sharks player, has emerged at the top level. There is also a senior level composed of former rugby players who can discuss the team's needs with the CEO to achieve results.
Next is Head Coach JP Petersen, a former Springbok player and Currie Cup winner, who is allowed to delegate tasks to his assistants. Mongalo gave an example of task distribution: 'Almost as if they said: Joey Mongalo, do well in defense; Scott Matie, handle the attack; Warren Whitly, take care of your set-piece stuff.' He emphasized that the team has direct access to decision-makers regarding finance and player recruitment, and this system is functioning.
Stability in Player Roster
Mongalo believes that greater stability extends to the playing core, as the proportion of players developed within the Sharks and former club players providing continuity increases. He mentioned players such as Fepsy Buthelezi, who has been with the club for a long time, as well as Thomas du Toit and Stefan Levy, who have returned to the system. Additionally, there is a young generation of Sharks players, such as Littlele Bester, Jaco Williams, and Wusi Moyo, who trained at the club.
Mongalo concluded that the combination of these three systems—strong leadership, JP's coaching process, and young players who went through the system, alongside attracting top players who are either Sharks representatives or integrated into the club—is a good sign for the Sharks as an organization. He acknowledged that good things take time and predicts that the team will be better this year than last. However, in his opinion, the flourishing of this system will occur in three to five years.
