World Cup winner Jake White has announced his resignation as South Africa coach.
Barbarians swansong for coach
World Cup winner Jake White has announced his resignation as South Africa coach.
"The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham (on December 1) will be my last as Springbok coach," White told reporters at a press conference in Cape Town.
White has been in charge of the Boks since 2004 but was required to re-apply for his own job despite leading theSpringboks to the world title. He declined to do so and has since been linked with the vacant Australia head coach position.
He has also expressed an interest in coaching England, should that position become vacant.
White said in a statement: "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 mis-information or inaccuracy regarding my situation.
"I want to publicly thank the 72 players I have been privileged to be associated with in the last four years."
Disappointed
But he had some words of rebuke for the South African board, adding:
"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."
