Plumtree will survive longer

So, will the Sharks management lose their patience and let go of the team’s coach, John Plumtree? Probably not.

Despite results not going his way, Plumtree enjoys the support of the Sharks management as he is central to their rebuild project.

The Sharks are going through their toughest period in the professional era.

On Saturday, the team suffered their ninth loss in 10 United Rugby Championship games in front of 30 000 fans as they were defeated 25-21 by the Stormers.

The side from Durban are at the bottom of the points table, and on paper, the Sharks, who were building towards an era of being rugby’s galacticos, are not a bottom of the table side.

Any other coach’s head would have been called for if they had the results that Plumtree has produced, but he has the grace of being a favourite in Durban.

Plumtree has admitted that the troubles they are experiencing has been due to him arriving with new coaching staff who are getting to know the players and introducing a new playing style, which can take a long time in rugby.

Judging him on this season’s results would be unfair as he found players there. He needs to be given a chance to influence recruitment and build depth to lessen dependency on the Springboks.

Plumtree needs to be given time to build the team in his own image.

This is one of the reasons why the front office management will not sack him this season.

The management’s patience with Plumtree does not mean the house is in order.

From the outside, it does not look pretty. The team is not playing as a cohesive unit and there’s been little to no rotation.

It seems as if the coaching staff has found it hard to put their trust in fringe players.

Those inside believe in what Plumtree is doing in terms of bringing in a new culture, they all have bought into his vision.

Rugby is a results-based business, and Plumtree is not getting them at the moment.

He’ll survive this season, but he will be under more pressure to deliver next season.