Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold will be responsible for the appointment of a new head coach. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.

While Gold has had the title of director of rugby since arriving in Durban from Japan just before the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament began, he has effectively been head coach of the Sharks in 2015.

The Sharks have had a disappointing season, having won six matches and suffered nine defeats, including six in a row.

Gold will coach the Sharks for the last time against the Stormers on Saturday, with his role then changing to that of a director of rugby. He will be responsible for putting structures in place at the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union, overseeing all levels of Sharks rugby, and deciding who becomes the new Sharks head coach.

It will definitely not be Brad Macleod-Henderson, who will reportedly not be involved in the new setup. John Mitchell, who recently turned down the Stormers head coach job, is said to be a contender.

Meanwhile, in Pretoria, Frans Ludeke is set to become Bulls director of rugby, with Bok forwards coach Johann van Graan in line to be head coach.

The Kings are also looking for a director of rugby after Swys de Bruin turned the job down and decided to stay on as the Lions assistant coach. The Eastern Cape franchise will make its return to Super Rugby in 2016 as the tournament expands to 18 teams.

In Cape Town, former Sharks coach and current Hurricanes forwards coach John Plumtree has been linked with the Stormers job. Allister Coetzee will be leaving for Japan at the end of the Super Rugby season.

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