Jake White and Bulls have parted ways by mutual agreement

"You learn as you grow. You need to be strong and courageous and, most importantly, it isn’t always fair."

Fri, 04 Jul, 2025 - 17:11

Fiona Halligan

Vodacom Bulls and Director of Rugby Jake White have parted ways by mutual agreement effective immediately following an end of season review.

White arrived in Loftus Versfeld in 2020 and made a quick impact securing back-to-back championships in Super Rugby Unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup in the same season.

During his reign the Bulls reached three URC Grand finals and made knockout appearances in both the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup. The Bulls lost the URC final to Leinster last month 32-7 at Croke Park. They knocked Leinster out twice at the semi-final stages of the URC in 2022 and 2024.

The 61-year-old believes that it is time for the team to "have a new voice".

“I have made the decision to move on" said White.

"With many years’ coaching experience, I felt it would be difficult to get the squad to perform to the next level. Therefore, in the best interest of both myself and the Bulls I feel it’s time for a new chapter. It’s time for this group to have a new voice.

The Vodacom Bulls and Director of Rugby, Jake White, have mutually agreed to part ways at the end of June 2025 following a season review.

Since joining in 2022, White delivered back-to-back titles in Super Rugby Unlocked and the Carling Currie Cup, and led the Vodacom Bulls to… pic.twitter.com/jzUYWS2BXs
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) July 4, 2025

“I have enjoyed my time in Pretoria. I met some wonderful friends. I believe that rugby is like life – you win some you lose some. You learn as you grow. You need to be strong and courageous and, most importantly, it isn’t always fair.

“I would like to thank all the loyal supporters, the Bulls staff that worked tirelessly, and to the players for their hard work and dedication.

"I wish BBRU president Willem Strauss and the amateur game lots of success in the future. To the shareholders, I will always be grateful for all the support and financial backing they gave, far and beyond any other club. Thank you for the privilege.

"To the Board for their support and CEO, Edgar Rathbone, coaches and management, it was great to be part of this winning culture. To be part of Bulls rugby history has been an absolute honour. I wish Bulls rugby all the best. Hou die blou bo!”