Sharks coach John Plumtree and new Blue Bulls signing Jano Vermaak received the Currie Cup Coach and Player of the Month awards at Kings Park in Durban.

The Currie Cup Coach and Player of the Month competition, is designed to acknowledge and reward coaches for their outstanding leadership. Players who are consistent and significantly contribute to the overall performance of the team, are also awarded.

A media panel, consisting of respected journalists and commentators, were unanimous in their choice of the Sharks coach for the month of July.

The Sharks, despite their defeat against Griquas last Friday, have sounded a massive warning that they are not likely to give up their Currie Cup crown easily as they demolished the Blue Bulls side in Durban in the opening week, and then the Free State Cheetahs also in Durban.

The Sharks have received strong praise for their style of play, with their slick handling and movement of the ball particularly catching the eye. Their enterprising halfback combination, as well as  Plumtree's attention to detail at scrum time, has also provided a strong platform for their early-season success.

Vermaak received the majority of the votes for his stand-out performances at scrumhalf for the Golden Lions during this first month of the Currie Cup action. Vermaak has been consistent in both attack and defence, and provided the Lions with plenty of go-forward ball.  

Vermaak has provided his halfback partner, Burton Francis, with great service while his decision-making skills and a quick eye for the tryline has seen him win the Man-of-the-match award against the Pumas as well as churn out sterling performances throughout the month of July.

Also nominated for their fantastic performances in July were Frederic Michalak and Keegan Daniel (both Sharks) as well as Nick Koster (Western Province).

The two winners – Vermaak and Plumtree – represent the two top teams in the Currie Cup to date, with the Golden Lions sitting firmly at the top of the log and the Sharks in second place.