Director of Rugby needed for Springboks

Whenever any of our national sport's teams suffer a setback,
there is a lot of speculation in the media about how this will
affect the coaches or the board. Rugby, as one of our three
majors, is no different.

During the week I was contacted by the media who asked
me what my thinking was on the current situation and
whether I thought I could be of assistance to the Springboks.

Instead of all the speculation I believe it best to set out
my thinking here.

Firstly I believe that a new post should be created within
the current set-up which I have styled the "Director of Rugby".
This should be a part time position as it has to avoid the
director interfering with the coaching set-up. It would allow
the coaches to approach the Director and use him as a sounding
board on all aspects of the job.

The major benefit being that he would be a rugby,
rather than administrative, person. When we won
the World Cup I knew what my limitations were and
went and asked Eddie Jones to assist me. His
experience played a vital role in our success.

Secondly the post should be used for the benefit
of not only the Springboks but South African Rugby
as a whole. As it is I am involved with grass roots
at the moment.

Thirdly when times get really tough our guys
know me, are aware that I have won both junior
and senior world cups and most importantly of all,
understand the exact nature of the pressure they
are under.

Fourthly due to my other commitments, the
coaching staff know that I am not there to take over
their jobs but rather to assist them, in anyway
I can to become a successful Springbok coaching unit.

I think we all know by now that my blood is green
and gold and that I would move mountains to keep
the Springboks where they belong - at the top of
World Rugby.

Jake White speaking to Mike Trapido of the Mail & Guardian

Welsh Tour and a bit of travel

I've just returned from my IRB coaching trip to Fiji and Samoa. Besides the beautiful countries I visited I was most gratified by the eagerness to learn I encountered from all concerned. Rugby is very much a part of their culture and the desire to improve their knowledge and approach to the game made the trip well worthwhile.

The Welsh tour of South Africa was most interesting from a coaching perspective and enjoyable for the spectators.

In the first test the coaching staff were always going to be experimenting with new combinations. The fact that they scored four tries and achieved a comprehensive victory would satisfy any coach on his first outing.

In the second test with the Bloemfontein test just seven days behind them Wales were going to come out firing. They are after all a proud rugby nation and the current 6 Nations Champions.

As a result they put South Africa to the test and we weren't found wanting.

I'm sure the coaching staff are satisfied with a series win and the first hurdle behind them.

See you soon.

Jake White talking to Mike Trapido

NOT SO SUPER 14

South Africa's last horse in the race for Super 14 honours, the Natal Sharks, fell at the second last hurdle on Saturday and it wasn't pretty.

The 28-13 win by the the Waratahs was primarily down to a rock solid defence which has served the Australians well right throughout the tournament. The Sharks battled to get over the advantage line, being driven back time and again.

This is by no means a criticism of the Waratahs – I have always maintained that to win big games and tournaments you have to first get your defence in order. They have and this makes for a great final against the Crusaders.

The Crusaders, the most successful side in the tournament's history, made 5 changes to their line-up for the match against the Hurricanes.

It showed as they dominated the Hurricanes 33-22 with Daniel Carter in ominous kicking form. As we all saw once the team had secured top spot it was hard to push themselves but that all changed on Saturday.

With Carter now getting some game time under his belt, home advantage and the experience of playing in their 10th final, the Crusaders are going to take some beating.

With the Waratah's defence this is not a foregone conclusion and should provide rugby with a great final.


IRB's CONSULTANT COACHES

I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join the team of consultant coaches and work on special projects within the Tier 2 and 3 countries around the world.

This forms part of the IRB's Strategic Investment Programme which will see £48 million invested in intensive programmes between 2009 and 2012.

I will be visiting Fiji and Samoa early in June for a series of clinics which will coincide with the IRB Pacific Nations Cup clash between the two on June 7 in Fiji. It is also envisaged that I will be assisting several European countries later in the year.

I am thrilled to be given the chance to get back into rugby particularly working with the countries who most need the help. It is an area I am very familiar with and hopefully I can contribute in some way to the growth and development of rugby in those countries.

Jake White speaking to Mike Trapido (Mail & Guardian)

Springbok coach

White's involvement at every level of South African rugby gave him a unique insight into the game that not many other coaches enjoy, and it almost seemed natural when he was given the role of national coach in 2004.

When he was appointed as head coach of the national team, South African rugby was in turmoil, coming off an early exit from the 2003 World Cup, racked by internal conflicts within their national federation, and rocked by the Kamp Staaldraad scandal.

Furthermore, defections such as Clyde Rathbone, the captain of the U-21 world champions, to Australia, further weakened the position.

Coaching resume up to 2004

White attended Jeppe High School for Boys where he played in the First XV. He began coaching as a high school rugby coach at Parktown Boys' High First XV before returning to his old school as a teacher and as coach of the school's First XV.

White's success with the school team resulted in him being appointed as provincial schools coach. Later he coached various under-19 and under-21 sides before assisting Springbok squad preparations by doing video analysis for them.

By this time he was well known for his technical prowess in rugby circles, and he lived up to his reputation by coaching the under-21 Springbok side to a victory in the U-21 Rugby Union World Cup in 2002.