Saracens appoint former Sharks chief Eduard Coetzee as new CEO ahead of 2026-27 season

Saracens have named former Sharks and CA Brive executive Eduard Coetzee as their new Chief Executive Officer, handing the South African a key leadership role ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The English club confirmed that Coetzee will take up the position before the start of next season, bringing with him extensive experience from senior roles in South Africa and France, as well as from a lengthy professional playing career.

Coetzee arrives from French outfit CA Brive, where he has served as Chief Executive Officer since July 2024. His move to the Top 14 club followed a long spell at the Sharks, where he rose through the off-field ranks over more than 10 years.

Long Sharks tenure before Brive move

At the Durban-based franchise, Coetzee initially joined the executive team as Commercial and Marketing Director, later being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In 2019 he was elevated again, this time to the position of Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the Sharks’ operations through a period of significant change.

His track record in South Africa, combined with his more recent stint in France, has been cited by Saracens as a key factor in the decision to bring him to north London as the club looks to strengthen its leadership structure.

Announcing the appointment, Saracens chairman Dominic Silvester underlined the board’s confidence in the new CEO and the deliberate nature of the recruitment process.

“I am delighted that Eduard will lead the club. Saracens have not rushed into this appointment and have sought out a truly capable, experienced rugby executive. I have known Eduard for more than 10 years and have seen first-hand the tremendous achievements he delivered while at the Sharks. Eduard is also well known to our Men’s Director of Rugby, Brendan Venter, as they have worked closely together previously. We have struggled to get some of our previous appointments right, but I am confident that, in Eduard, we have a top-class executive who understands our culture,” Silvester said.

Former prop brings extensive playing background

Before moving into boardrooms, Coetzee built a substantial rugby career on the field as a prop, gaining exposure to professional environments in both hemispheres.

A product of the Sharks system, he represented the Durban side for four seasons before heading to France. There, he spent six years with Aviron Bayonnais and Biarritz Olympique, amassing over 300 professional appearances in total. That experience across different leagues and rugby cultures is viewed as another asset he brings into his latest role.

Coetzee targets performance and culture

Coetzee will step into the CEO role looking to guide Saracens through their next phase on and off the pitch, working closely with Silvester and the club’s wider leadership group.

“It is a tremendous honour to join Saracens as Chief Executive Officer. Saracens is a club with a proud history, built on a legacy of excellence, resilience and innovation. I am excited to work alongside Dominic Silvester and Neil Golding, our Directors of Rugby, Brendan Venter and Alex Austerberry, as well as our players, staff, supporters and stakeholders, as we write the next chapter together,” he said.

Outlining his priorities, Coetzee stressed his intention to build on existing structures at the club and reinforce Saracens’ ambitions on the global stage.

“My focus is to build on the strong foundations already in place, fostering a culture where high performance, accountability and continuous improvement underpin everything we do. Together, we have the opportunity to shape a future that honours our history while embracing new ambitions. Our goal is not only to achieve sustained success on the field, but to establish Saracens as one of the most admired and respected sporting organisations in world rugby.”

His appointment comes as Saracens continue to compete among the leading clubs in domestic and European competition, with the new CEO set to play a central role in steering strategy, culture and long-term planning from the 2026/27 season onwards.