Nick Mallett has reportedly turned down an offer from the Sharks to take over the coaching reins from John Plumtree.

City Press

It is reported that New Zealand-born John Plumtree is in danger of being sacked after Mallett, who has coached both the Springboks and Italy, was approached about his availability to coach the Durban-based Super Rugby franchise.

Nick Mallett, however, said that he was not interested in the position.

“I did have an approach from Natal, but I’m very happy at SuperSport and want to continue what I’m doing until 2015 [the year of the next World Cup]. After that I may be interested in returning to coaching with an international team,” said Mallett.

After a stint as interim head coach of the Sharks in 2007 and serving as assistant to Super Rugby coach Dick Muir, Plumtree was appointed head coach in 2008.

In his first year at the helm, Plumtree guided the Sharks to their first Currie Cup title since 1996 and was subsequently named 2008 Currie Cup Coach of the Year.

Plumtree steered the Sharks to another Currie Cup title in 2010 and back-to-back Finals in 2011 and 2012, which they lost 16-42 and 18-25 to the Golden Lions and Western Province respectively.

The Sharks also reached the Super Rugby Final last year, losing 6-37 to the Chiefs in Hamilton after extensive travelling during the play-offs.

The Sharks were earmarked to lead the South African Super Rugby surge again this year, but the side have failed to meet expectations and languish in 10th place.