Springbok coach facing ‘quit’ crisis

BELEAGUERED Springbok coach Jake White faces the biggest crisis of his career after the most powerful regional province in South African rugby passed a motion of no confidence in him and called on him to resign.

In an unprecedented move, the Blue Bulls Rugby Union — who have 10 players in the current Springbok squad — have called on White and his management team to quit, believing that he is not the right man to lead the Boks into the World Cup next year.

White’s out-of-sorts team were hammered 32-15 by Ireland in Dublin last weekend — their fifth consecutive loss away from home this year — and they have now won just four of their 10 international matches in 2006.

Although the Blue Bulls Rugby Union represents the club structures within the province and not the professional Super 14 team, the two organisations share directors and the decision to publicly criticise White is a huge setback for the coach.

A statement by the Union said: “The union places the blame squarely on the shoulders of the coach, Mr Jake White, and his management team. In the interest of SA Rugby these gentlemen are requested to resign with immediate effect.

“The union no longer see its way clear to support these officials with the selection of teams and are convinced that if they do not resign with immediate effect, then there is no prospect of competing with reasonable success at the World Cup in 2007.”

White has made six changes to the side that lost 32-15 in Ireland for Saturday’s Twickenham Test against England. Try-machine Bryan Habana returns to his favoured position on the wing as White bids to end a run of five straight defeats on the road.

Jacques Cronje, Johann Muller and B J Botha beef up the pack — with Akona Ndungane, Wynand Olivier and Butch James coming into a new-look back line. Francois Steyn, one of the few successes in his debut in Dublin, has been moved to full-back from the wing.

England’s troubled autumn Test series has continued after Iain Balshaw was ruled out of the Twickenham clash. The Gloucester full-back has suffered a torn calf muscle, prompting a recall for Northampton wing Ben Cohen.

Cohen, who has amassed 31 Test tries, was initially left out of the side but he now returns in the No 11 shirt, with Josh Lewsey switching to 15.

It means Cohen will have started all three autumn Tests, and will not be available to face the Springboks next week.

An agreement between England and Premier Rugby stipulates no player is allowed to start more than three of the four autumn games.

Argentina flanker Martin Schusterman has been cleared of dangerous play during his country’s historic win over England at Twickenham.

The 31-year-old forward was cited for a tackle on England’s Iain Balshaw during Saturday’s 25-18 victory but will not face a suspension and would be free to face Italy, although he has been omitted from the Pumas squad.