Springbok World Cup winning, IRB coach of the year Jake White handed in his resignation today. It seems that the only thing more difficult than winning a World Cup is working with the incompetent, back-stabbing, spineless gravy-trainers who call themselves SARU (and especially the ridiculous clowns on the president’s council). Congratulations Jake, and good luck for the future! Can’t wait for your book…
Jake White’s resignation release:
Respect, honesty and dignity are among the values of the Springbok squad over the last four years. Given recent press statements indicating why I was not considered for the national coaching role next year I felt obliged to clarify a few points, so as to ensure the Springboks’ incredible success at the World Cup is not tarnished with misinformation or inaccuracy regarding my situation.
The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will be my last one 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. The selectors and I capped 28 new Springboks in 53 Tests and to award a new player his Bok cap is among any Bok coach’s career highlights.
I’ve also had a wonderful support team within the management, most of who started with me four years ago and finished with a World Cup winners medal. I will thank them personally for their contribution when the team gets together and my hope is the decision-makers in South African rugby realize how talented these individuals are and look after them in a way befitting of the sacrifice they have made for South African rugby.
Personally, I am extremely disappointed at the manner in which the message of my supposed unavailability was conveyed to the public on Monday 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.
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.
The purpose of this statement is to put on record my passion for rugby in this country and for the Springboks. Hopefully it will also put an end to all the speculation regarding my perceived motives to stay or go.
For the record: It was the greatest honour to coach the Boks and no one can ever take away the memory of those four years. When I got the job I promised to instill and promote those values I believe should always be consistent with Springbok rugby. 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 recognized 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.
This is a time to thank people and from a rugby perspective I can’t emphasise enough the contribution of Eddie Jones in the last two months. The Bok team sponsor SASOL was huge in its contribution, on a personal level and in whatever the squad needs were. So too the input of the other rugby sponsors Vodacom, British Airways, Southern Sun and Absa.
Former President Nelson Mandela was a constant source of inspiration and President Thabo Mbeki was as inspirational in how he connected with the squad. I agree with President Mbeki when he says John Smit for president. We as South Africans have a special son in Smittie and let’s celebrate the qualities of the man.
Finally, to my family, to Deb and the boys I would never be able to thank you enough for allowing me to pursue my dream.
The next guy will need everyone’s support because as wonderful as it is to coach South Africa, it can be particularly lonely at times.
I wish him all the best.
Thank you.
the soap opera begins again
It is not even two weeks since the Sprinboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup and SARU could not help but embarrass themselves and the the Sprinboks yet again. Clearly they have learned nothing from the aftermath of ’95. I would not be surprised if they secretly wished for the Sprinboks’demise at the world Cup, just for the opportunity to point fingers at Jake White yet again. Where is the integrity for this amazing man who stood alone with his singleminded determination to bring the World Cup home against all odds? Was it not time to admit that it was time to apologise to him for their continued clandestine and brutal cowardly behaviour. Is it not time for the public to boycott rugby in its entirety and bring SARU to their knees. The sport belongs to the public and not to SARU.
Bernard Greeff