Shocked coach says he'll stand by Boks

Jake White. Touchline / Getty Images

Springbok coach Jake White yesterday revealed he has turned his back on any future with England, pledging he is determined to make South Africa successful again.

White put an end to any further uncertainties over his future in the light of the Boks' 49-0 hammering by the Wallabies in Brisbane, a result he admitted had shocked him.

White also hit back at his critics, including Springbok legend Frik du Preez who urged him to pack his bags and go in the light of Saturday night's Tri-Nations humiliation.

But White responded strongly, saying, "Comments like that are the ones that hurt you the most".

"As Springbok coach, I have been very big on standards and traditions and respected what has been achieved in the past. When you hear comments like that from someone like Frik du Preez, they are especially hurtful.

"Our preparation was as good for this test match as it has ever been during my time in charge. And as for the team, if I chose a very different one with a lot of newer faces, people would say I was handing out Springbok blazers like sweets. You cannot win."

But to end once and for all speculation about any continuing interest in the England elite rugby director job, White said he had spoken to the players about it.

"I have told them I won't be leaving, I am in with them on this. There is no chance of me leaving. And after this performance, I am doubly determined to make the Springboks successful again in time for the World Cup."

He denied that possible uncertainty over his own position had undermined players' morale, contributing to the collapse in Brisbane. But had he been too loyal to certain players? White was emphatic on that topic, too.

"To be criticised for being too loyal is a bit unfair. It's just that I work from the premise that you can't buy experience. Also, look at the results of our franchise teams and you see that there is not too much more you can pick.

"There is no quick fix solution to this. We can't go out, buy a book and solve our problems. If we changed the whole group of players we would suffer this sort of setback again.

"I still believe what we are doing is right. But to take one detail, I think we conceded more penalties in the first half on Saturday night than we did all last season. That does worry me, because I don't honestly know why.

"But the fact is, these top sides of the world are good enough, when you get it wrong, to punish you."

What would White say to South African supporters back home bemused at such an overwhelming defeat? "I'd say the most important thing is, we have to get it right. We are as down as the people back home must be feeling, except more so. We are the squad that suffered that.

"I have never experienced anything like it in my life. I didn't sleep at all on Saturday night. I lay there thinking about it, turning things over in my mind. What do you do about it, scream and shout at the players? Would that achieve anything?"

Nevertheless, White accepts that certain players, even several of the most experienced ones, did not put their hands up and lead the fight-back on the pitch in Brisbane. That disappointed him as much as anything and he had a warning for all his players.

"I don't want to get personal about individual players. But what I will say is, every guy now has to contribute. We will learn a lot from seeing how players handle this adversity.

"We'll see who is prepared to stand up and be counted this week, who will lay their bodies on the line against New Zealand on Saturday. This is a very tough school in which to learn but we're going to learn a lot about our players by how they react to this.

"I always knew it was going to be difficult on this trip but I didn't know it would be like that. Some players will sink, others will swim on a tour like this. All I'll say is that if they continue like that, there is no way they can remain in the mix going forward towards the World Cup."

White virtually admitted that key positions are not right and he will be forced into a rethink over the problematic No 10, with Jaco van der Westhuyzen likely to stand aside to allow Meyer Bosman another chance.


Reader comment: I cannot blame Springboks coach Jake White's critical comments of 'our own' referee during last weekend's Tri-Nations match. The aussie papers also admitted being baffled at alot of his decisions. Even our linesmen were probably 'hypnotised' too.
My question is - and have often wondered - as to why are New Zealand referees always seem to 'befriend' the aussies every time they take the field ? The damning statistics says it all. No, I don't have it here with me but even blind freddy would've felt the harsh treatment given to the 'opposing' team/s. I hadn't forgotten the other Kiwi ref who had officiated the Manu Samoa vs Wallabies clash last year and boy was he proud to acquaint himself with the aussies during the game. There was a moment of one [of many] particular unfair call when he had punished the Samoans, he was actually conversing with the aussies and smiling like he was a hero for penalising them. For whatever reason, it is a crying shame that our refs are made to look like fools by being manipulated, intimidated and certainly dictated by the aussies. The said ref did claim that he ref as he sees it ... bullcrap. Why then, was South Africa not given much of the rub of the green ? They were penalised virtually all game yet he hardly ever blew the whistle on the aussies for similar discretions ... geez' I didn't know they were perfect specimens. Ultimately, the scoreboard said it all [0-49] and you'd have to be Einstein to correct me if I'm wrong ... I rest my case.
- - - posted 12.20pm by Fili Tupua, Sydney