Defiant White hits back at Boks critics

JAKE WHITE has vowed to stand firm against his critics after South Africa’s most powerful rugby province called for his resignation as Springbok coach.

White has come under increasing pressure in the wake of poor recent performances, resulting in the Blue Bulls’ call for White to stand down, a demand that has since been supported by two more provincial unions, Western Province Rugby Union and Valke Rugby Union.

The Boks have lost five games in a row away from home this year under White and won only four out of 10 in a disappointing season that included home losses against France and the All Blacks.

Also of concern to the unions is White’s apparent reluctance to assume responsibility for poor displays after he criticised the system following the record 32-15 defeat against Ireland on Saturday.

And away from the pitch, the unions are also upset at White’s decision to withdraw 24 contracted Springboks — of whom only a handful made the tour squad — from the domestic Currie Cup competition.

But even as the storm clouds continued to gather around the South Africa camp, the coach remained defiant ahead of tomorrow’s Test against England.

“I can’t worry about those sort of things,” White said. “I have a job to do on the field. We have a new batch of players here with us and for our World Cup plans it’s important that we increase our depth.

“The decision to rest key players for this tour was taken jointly by me, the board of SA Rugby and the review committee at a meeting earlier this season.

“Also, just before the Rustenburg Test I had a meeting with former coaches and key-role players (among them Nick Mallett, Carel du Plessis, Rudolf Straeuli, Harry Viljoen and Naas Botha) and it was decided we must do whatever we can to create opportunities for all our players. This tour was always going to be about creating those opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Western Province chief executive Theuns Roodman has said that while the subject of White’s position has yet to be discussed in the Newlands boardroom, it was “likely” that the union will support the Bulls’ no-confidence stance if the matter is tabled at the next SA Rugby meeting.

Valke’s chairperson, former Springbok Guy Kebble, was more forthcoming on the subject.

“We are not happy with what Jake White and his management team have done with the Springboks,” he told the Cape Argus.

“We will likely support any motion for a change in structure, including that of his job as national coach.”