A bitter Jake White announced on Wednesday he would quit as coach of South Africa's World Cup winning rugby team, accusing Springbok bosses of bouncing him out of the job.


White, whose skills are sought by rival national sides, said he would see out his contract and take the team to Britain next month for matches against Wales and his swan-song against the multi-national Barbarians on December 1.

"The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will be my last as Springbok coach," White told journalists in Cape Town.
"I walk away with no regrets but plenty of sadness."

Follow up:

White was "extremely disappointed" to have heard via a media statement that a short-list had been drawn up for his successor and that his name was not on it for failure to put his hand up.

"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 (in December when his current deal expires)," he said.
"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."

But he was not surprised, added White, who said the leadership of South African rugby had a history of disloyalty and conflict.

"I am content that the decision I am making now is the right one for me at this point in time. You must have a working relationship with people above you."

The 43-year-old, in charge of the national team since 2004, has been in hot demand, with the Australian Rugby Union revealing on Tuesday that White's agent had been in touch about the vacant Wallabies post.
He has also been linked to the England, Wales and New Zealand coaching positions.

White had long had a testy relationship with SARU bosses and was summoned home in the middle of a tour to Britain at the end of last year to explain the team's then poor form.
SARU president Oregan Hoskins was quoted in The Star newspaper on Wednesday as saying the coach was portraying himself as a victim despite having informed board members some time back of his intention to quit.

"The unfortunate thing is that Jake is now portrayed as the victim and the council as a bunch of idiots who just did not like him after we won the World Cup," said Hoskins.
"But that's just not fair and it's not the whole story as there are a lot of people in SA Rugby who stood by Jake and supported him during some of his darkest moments in the job."

South African President Thabo Mbeki last week said it would be a mistake to let White slip through the hands of the Springboks in their moment of triumph.

"It would be odd that, in the moment of victory, which comes after a long period of preparation, you say, 'Thank you for your services White, goodbye',"

Mbeki said in a radio interview.


White said he relished the nationwide support he had been getting, but added: "The public and parliament are not the people who sign my cheques."


He said quitting was hard, but the only thing left to do.

"It is difficult to walk away. I am sad to actually not want to coach the Springboks anymore. I am really disappointed about the way they treated me.
"The other countries are phoning me up to ask whether or not I would consider a coaching job in their country and I hadn't applied there either. So why South African Rugby couldn't have asked me whether I would have applied or whether I would consider it is something that I am really disappointed in."

But none of this guaranteed, said White, that he would have taken the job if asked.
He declined to list his future options and wished his successor the best of luck.

"As wonderful as it is to coach South Africa, it can be particularly lonely at times."

Source: AFP