KEY POINTS:
PARIS - World Cup winning coach Jake White said that the prime asset for the man who succeeds him as South Africa coach would be to have a thick skin if they were to deal with both the politics of the job.
The 43-year-old admitted he had not re-applied for his post after guiding the Springboks to a grinding 15-6 victory over 2003 champions England on Saturday.
However, White said that he would take charge of the mini-northern hemisphere tour in November which consists of a test against Wales and The Barbarians.
"Just get a thick skin," replied White when asked about what his successor required.
"You know, it's such a great privilege, but it is the toughest job in world rugby, it comes with a huge amount of connotations that you have to look into.
"And I'm just hoping the statement that we made on Saturday in 80 minutes of a World Cup final will help whoever takes over, whoever gets the job, not only this time but for the next 12 years."
White, who like his predecesssors has had to deal with the thorny question of the quota system during his four-year tenure and revealed his frustrations on numerous occasions, admitted it would be hard to turn his back on the international stage.
"No matter how tough you are, how much bravado you have, you are going to miss international rugby," said White, who has been linked with the Australia post.
"When it's in your blood, you want to stay involved in international rugby.
"But as I feel now, I just want to spend some time with my family, enjoy the next couple of weeks, and then I'll have time to reflect exactly where we are."
White said that the tour to Wales and then the test with the Barbarians at Twickenham would be an apt way for him to sign off with the 'Boks.
"I'll be in charge then, I've been with this fantastic group of players," said White, who was on the verge of being sacked last November and was recalled from the northern hemisphere tour to explain himself after a series of poor results.
"I'm going to take them there, it's a fitting way to finish off with them.
"Look at Monty (fullback Percy Montgomery) and Os du Randt, they were written off four years ago and they played probably the biggest role on Saturday in a World Cup final.
"I owe it to them just to finish off my tenure.
"I've picked the team already for the end of year tour, it's John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha.
"My job comes up for renewal at the end of the year, my tenure says 31st of December it's all over, and I'm very thankful that come December 31, I can say I'be been there done that, now I can move on. I haven't applied (by October 19 deadline)."
White said that he believed he had accomplished all he could, although he gave a contrasting view to the Pretoria News on Saturday when he said that he would find it hard handing over the reins to someone else as he had coached a large part of the squad through the Under-21s to the senior ranks.
"As I stand now, we have won the Under 21 world championship, and now we have won the senior version.
"I'm very happy about where we are as a nation, the way I feel now I'd like some time off and just see what's going to happen, you know".
- AFP
