September 20th, 2007 by keo
Keo, in his Independent Newspaper Group column, writes the Boks should be kept in tact until after the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
Give Jake White a Springbok contract extension now and ensure the continuity of the World Cup is carried through to the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. Make a decision then as to who will coach the Boks to the 2011 World Cup.
SA Rugby is reluctant to commit to White beyond this World Cup, confirming that should White want to continue as Bok coach he needs to apply.
SA Rugby managing director Jonathan Stones has been consistent in his view that the process of appointing the next Bok coach must be respected.
Equally the performance of the Boks at this World Cup cannot be ignored.
White, in 2006, made mistakes, but White in 2007 has got most things right. You only have to be in Paris to know how revered the Boks are and it is because of this team’s performance on and off the field.
The Boks, against Samoa and England, have made the most convincing start to a World Cup in the history of South African rugby and that includes the 1995 success story.
SA Rugby, understandably, had been reluctant to commit to White before the England match-up. Failure in Paris against the Poms could have resulted in a quarter-final elimination (against Australia) and they risked condemnation for a poor business decision.
However, the England match, by nature of the demolition, surely has changed the perspective within South African rugby.
Equally, the English media’s insistence that the next national coach be a foreigner cannot be ignored, especially with the options so limited.
English-born South African coach Nick Mallett is committed to Italy, Graham Henry won’t easily walk from the All Blacks to England and Eddie Jones has signed with Saracens for the next four years.
Seeing Allan Donald in the English cricket changeroom is enough of an eyesore.
He should be working with the Proteas and White should be working with the Springboks, regardless of whether they win the World Cup.
White made mistakes in 2006 and was condemned. Many, including me, called for his removal, but when the administration backed him they also backed their belief in his ability to win the World Cup.
He has learned from 2006 and this year responded with innovation and boldness. The Boks, at this World Cup, have set the standard.
Now the administration must show they are committed to South African rugby’s greater well-being and not show a prejudice to the personality that drives the Boks.
White’s clashes with the administration are well known but it would regrettable if he coached England next year.
White’s contract expires at the end of the year and he has indicated he would love to continue as coach. Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has also said he would want the challenge, while Emerging Boks coach Peter de Villiers will apply.
SA Rugby has options from within South Africa, but it is essential history doesn’t cloud the decision-making process. Whatever the issues in the past White has shown himself capable of learning and maturing as the Bok coach.
South African rugby has already lost Mallett to Europe. Why lose the Bok World Cup coach, especially with England in such a desperate state and ready to snap him up?
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