World Cup-winning coach Jake White quit as rugby director of the Sharks on Monday, the Super Rugby franchise said in a statement.
White gave no explanation for a decision that took South African rugby by surprise.
The 51-year-old has often said his ultimate goal was to coach another team at a World Cup and the 2015 tournament kicks off in England next September.
"I'm closing this chapter in my life as I believe it is the right time to do so," White said in a statement.
"I want to thank and acknowledge the Sharks for my time spent with the team."
White, who guided South Africa to their 2007 World Cup win, spent one season with the Durban-based Sharks after two seasons with Australian rivals the Brumbies.
White took the Sharks to the Super Rugby semi-finals this year after steering the Canberra-based Brumbies to the 2013 final.
After losing out to Ewen McKenzie for the post of Australia coach, he returned to South Africa.
Sharks chief executive and former Springboks hooker and skipper John Smit praised the impact White had on the Durban-based franchise.
"What he has achieved for us in such a short time is incredible and our staff and players have learnt a huge amount," he said.
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