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Jake wants his Bok job back

Stephen Nell

Cape Town – Jake White wants to coach the Springboks again.

The man who guided South Africa to their World Cup triumph in 2007 told Sport24 that he will be applying for the job again next year.

White also wants to convince more or less the same management team – including former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, who assisted the Boks as a consultant in 2007 – to come back on board.

“I’m currently coaching Wilgenhof (a residence side at the University of Stellenbosch) and am also involved at a number of top rugby schools,” he said.

“But my plan is to apply for the Bok job again next year. I’m already making sure that I have a good idea of the young talent in South Africa’s system.

“I’m feeling refreshed and have decided that I want to coach the national team again. I assume they will be going through the same tender procedure as last time to appoint the next coach.

“I never decided to go ply my trade overseas, but if South Africa don’t want me again next year, I will consider an overseas appointment.”

White currently serves on the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) rugby committee, where he has an input on important issues such as the application of laws, player welfare and coaching techniques.

The former Bok coach has also done consulting work at Saracens, Toulon and Suntory Sungoliath.

Jones is still involved at Suntory Sungoliath and Sport24 understands this is where injured Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez will further his career after next year’s World Cup.

Should he get the Bok job again, White hopes to convince Jones, Gert Smal and Allister Coetzee to work with him again.

Smal is currently Ireland’s forwards coach and is contracted there until after next year’s World Cup.

Coetzee is coaching the Stormers and Western Province, and will be a strong candidate to be appointed as the next Bok coach.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) advertised the job in 2007 while South Africa were still busy with their World Cup campaign.

“I did not re-apply because I was tired and didn’t think SARU wanted me to stay on,” he said.

“But I can’t help wondering where the team would be today if I had the same opportunity as Graham Henry to stay on.”

White believes it will be “fantastic” for the same coaching team of 2007 to get an opportunity to repeat their success.

“Eddie and I really want to win the World Cup again.”

What if Coetzee gets the job?

“That will also be fantastic. I’m sure he’ll involve me. The great thing about Allister is that he does not have an ego.”

Peter de Villiers’s contract as Bok coach runs out after next year’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, White has warned that South Africa can be vulnerable at the World Cup if they don’t come up with some new ideas.

“The team that gets the defence right will win the tournament. New Zealand have improved their defence, while ours has gone backwards. We won’t make it if we don’t come up with some new ideas.”
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