Bok coach surplus to requirements
Just 11 days after leading the Springboks to the William Webb Ellis Cup in France, White revealed his contract, which expires on December 31, will not be renewed.
The 43-year-old initially informed SA Rugby he did not intend to extend his spell in the role, leading the governing body to advertise his position.
And even though he has hinted at a change of heart, SA Rugby have opted to choose from only those who applied initially.
“Personally, I am extremely disappointed at the manner in which the message of my ‘supposed unavailability’ was conveyed to the public in a South African Rugby Union media release that stated I would not be considered for the job on the basis that I did not apply,” said White.
“My contract as Springbok coach is clear that I was not obliged to apply — and that all considerations would be discussed at my annual review.
“I did ask for time to consider my options as I was mindful of making a wrong decision based on emotion. This time was not afforded me and that is particularly disappointing.”
Even though he will leave under a cloud, White stressed how much he had enjoyed leading his country.
“It was the greatest honour to coach the Boks and no-one can ever take away the memory of those four years.
“In 2004 the Boks were ranked sixth in the world and emotionally we were at a low after the disasters of 2003.
“I maintained at the time we had good enough players to win the World Cup. In those four years the Springboks won the Tri-Nations, won the World Cup, won two International Player of the Year awards, two Coach of the Year awards and twice were recognised by the IRB as the team of the year. In that time we also beat every team on at least one occasion.
“To those players I want to say thank you. To the support staff, an equal thank you.
“Not only have you won the World Cup, but you have restored respect for the Bok jersey and you have honoured those values every young boy in this country should aspire to want to live.
“I walk away with no regrets, but with plenty of sadness.”
“The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham (on December 1) will be my last as Springbok coach and I want to publicly thank the 72 players I have been privileged to be associated with in the last four years.
SARU president Oregan Hoskins claimed the coach was portraying himself as a victim despite having informed board members some time back of his intention to quit.
“The unfortunate thing is that Jake is now portrayed as the victim and the council as a bunch of idiots who just did not like him after we won the World Cup,” said Hoskins.
“But that’s just not fair and it’s not the whole story as there are a lot of people in SA Rugby who stood by Jake and supported him during some of his darkest moments in the job.”
South African President Thabo Mbeki last week said it would be a mistake to let White go.
“It would be odd that, in the moment of victory, you say, ‘Thank you for your services White, goodbye’,” Mbeki said.
White has indicated he wants to stay in international rugby and has been linked with the positions as coach of England, Australia and Wales.
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