SOUTH AFRICA 34
WALES 12
A year on from almost losing his job after defeat by England at Twickenham, Jake White bowed out of test rugby with South Africa sitting on top of the world.
The Springboks began their new life as world champions by impressively beating Wales
in White's final full test in charge yesterday in Cardiff, but it could all have been so different.
"It was the November 24 weekend after I was summoned back - I was fortunate that we beat England, I kept my job," said White, whose team won the second of the two Twickenham tests on November 25.
Asked how different South African rugby would have been had he, instead of England's Andy Robinson, been sacked, White said: "No one will ever know, but I guess there is a lesson there for everyone.
"I stuck with the group of players, stuck with my captain and stuck to the things I believe in, that's the lesson I learned.
"It's been a great year. We won 14 our of 17 tests, we won the World Cup and we are ranked number one."
White's team certainly signed off in style as they ran in five tries, including three in a first-half burst that effectively settled the game when they led 22-0.
"I started my coaching career with the Sharks against Newport and ended it at the Millennium Stadium in front of a very passionate Welsh crowd, and to get a win like that, that's the way you want to bow out I guess," he said.
Captain John Smit added: "The biggest thing ... was to send off this man [White] after the four years he's given us."
- REUTERS
