White takes on a tough job
Brad Morgan
17 February 2004
He's the tenth Springbok coach since 1992. He started out coaching at the age of 18 and now, 23 years, later Jake White has what is, under present circumstances, arguably the toughest coaching job in the world of rugby.
The selection of White as the new Bok coach, on a two-year contract, brings with it the promise of a more open game plan; as an analyst on television he was consistently critical of South Africa's predictable approach to the game.
The big question supporters want answered, though, is whether it will bring back a winning record or not.
White first really came to notice working under two of South Africa's most highly regarded coaches, Kitch Christie and Nick Mallett, as a technical adviser (video analyst). Since then his keen eye for detail has impressed not only South Africans, but also people from further afield.
Wanted by Woodward
In fact, just before White was appointed, he
received an SMS from England coach Sir Clive Woodward, asking him to call should he not be appointed Bok coach. Woodward's recognition of White's skills came as a nice compliment.
His appointment seems to have been well received, although many people are questioning just how much say he will have in team selection, and to what extent he will be able to get on with coaching without the interference of administrators at the South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu).
Certainly, the biggest concern in South African rugby at present appears to be on an administrative level; new Sarfu boss Brian van Rooyen has not inspired confidence by going back on his word on a number occasions since taking office.
Possibly White's most significant coaching achievement came in 2001, when he led the South African under-21 team to the world title. It was achieved on home soil, and included wins over New Zealand and Australia.
Captain Smit?
Before
that he was an assistant coach when the SA under-21 team won the world title in 1999. The captain of that team was John Smit, who is considered one of the front-runners to take over from Corne Krige as captain of the Springboks.
White is known to have a high regard for Smit, and this past association could sway him to select the Sharks' skipper to lead Bok rugby into what many hope will be a successful new era.
White has been very successful in integrating promising young black players into South African rugby. At the under-21 world championships the SA team featured 10 black players in a squad of 26, while there were eight black players in 2001, six of whom played in the final.
Similar numbers at senior level would surely be welcomed by administrators and politicians alike. "Transformation is non-negotiable", White commented after his appointment. "We have 40-million non-white South Africans, and there must be talent in there. We will find non-white players to
bring through."
The former Jeppe Boys physical education teacher, who is a stickler for detail, told the media that there will be a big change in the way the Springboks play the game, and off the field a big change in the way they conduct themselves. White said he wants to see passion return to South African rugby and the end of pessimism towards the game in the country.
He claims he is well aware of the challenges that he faces, but says he plans to consult former coaches so that he doesn't make the same mistakes that they made.
Former captain Corne Krige, though, made his own views clear when he was asked about where the problems lie in South African rugby. "Until everyone involved is there for the better of the game, it cannot alter", Krige said. "At the moment it is a power struggle and people are just riding the gravy train."
Williams' future
Chester Williams, who along with White and Rudi Joubert was thought to be one of
the front-runners for the Springbok coaching job, has expressed his disappointment that he didn't crack the nod, probably because of his lack of coaching experience in the 15-man game.
Williams has certainly enjoyed success as coach of the SA Sevens team, but there is a significant difference between the seven-man and 15-man game, and Jake White's technical expertise in the traditional game swung the vote in his favour.
Williams has declared himself unavailable as an assistant to White, but he will be working under Tim Lane at the Cats. It's thought that Williams will shortly take over from the Australian, whose contract expires in May.
"I wish Jake all success with the Springboks", Williams said. "My hope is that Springbok rugby will rise again and that the recent bad times will belong to the past."
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