Sharks expecting fired up former coach as he returns to Durban with Edinburgh

It will be a homecoming for Everitt, who is set to return to his old stomping ground, Kings Park, where he was the Sharks' head coach between 2020 and 2022 before resigning following several poor results in the URC.

After leaving the Sharks, Everitt spent some time at the Bulls, where he worked as a consultant during their 2023 Curie Cup campaign, before taking over the coaching reins at Edinburgh last July.

And Springbok tighthead prop Koch, who made his Sharks debut last Saturday in their 22-12 victory over Ulster at Kings Park, feels Everitt will "try to prove a point" against his former team.

Although Koch was not part of the Sharks set-up when Everitt was in charge of them, he is a seasoned campaigner who knows that it's natural for anyone to have extra motivation to try and get the better of their former team.

"I wasn't here when Sean left, but I have left clubs, and when I play against my previous club, there's extra motivation to play well against them," Koch told Sport24.

"When Sean comes here, he'll definitely try to prove a point and he'll definitely psych his players up to a level where he wants them to be at.

"At the end of the day, he also wants a result, and he can throw that in there in their pre-match chat."

The Sharks' win against Ulster was a momentous one as it was only their second URC victory of the season and took them of the foot of the competition's table.

Koch revealed that the result brought plenty of positivity to the Sharks camp, who have several Springboks in their ranks.

"We've been trying new things and we've been unlucky in a few games as well," he said.

"We are building towards something, but the spirit of the boys is pretty high. They never backed down and they didn't question anything.

"They never questioned the way we played. They've kept their heads up and that's showing that the team is getting closer.

"Getting the win brings a different vibe to the team and there was a different vibe in the team meeting."

The 34-year-old, who previously had stints at the Stormers, Wasps and Stade Francais, had to wait long to make his Sharks bow as he has been struggling with a knee injury which he sustained during the Springboks' victorious 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in France.

He is happy that he eventually saw some action in Sharks colours and enjoyed his debut which came off the replacements bench against Ulster.

"It was unbelievable as it was something I've been waiting for a long time," Koch said.

"The injury took longer to heal than I expected, but the medical staff and coaches have been very supportive.

"I wasn't pressured to come back and they allowed me to let my knee heal to the best of its ability.

"To wear the jersey was a massive honour, and it was an unbelievable experience, while getting the win was also special."

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