Jake White has his say on Bok coaching gig

SPOTLIGHT: Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White says his name “doesn’t crop up” amongst the candidates to be the next Springbok head coach.

SA Rugby dropped a bombshell last weekend when they revealed that head coach Jacques Nienaber will be leaving his role after the World Cup to join Irish giants Leinster.

Assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Deon Davids are seen by many as favourites to take over from Nienaber.

Former Lions boss Johan Ackermann is also a potential candidate, while Johann van Graan and Franco Smith have also been mentioned in the media.

“My name doesn’t crop up,” White told media on Friday ahead of his team’s URC clash against Leinster on Saturday.

“I’ve been reading enough articles to see that my name is not on the list and that’s maybe a good thing.

“Sometimes it’s spooky when your name is on that list because you generally don’t get it.”

The story continues below…

#SPOTLIGHT: @WorldRugby‘s new policy not sitting well with @Springboks and @AllBlacks #rugby #news @Sports https://t.co/DpfiYrPgns

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 21, 2023

White added: “I’m signed here [with the Bulls] until 2027.

“I coach a lot of players who I think should be international players and who will become internationals.

“I work for an incredible organisation. I have a great relationship with my board, with Patrice Motsepe and Johann Rupert.

“I wouldn’t do anything without ever speaking to them about it. If they felt it was in the best interests of South African rugby that I would be involved in the national setup, I would only do it with their blessing.

“As you’ve seen, unless you get in there and they want you, there is no use being forced in. Secondly, you’ve got to get what you think is important for you to run the organisation when it comes to rugby.

“You always want to coach internationally and I’m a South African. But, at the same time, all those things have to be in place and I can’t answer that because I’m busy coaching a provincial team.”