Change coming at Loftus, but it’s the same old Jake
Jake White was just 40-years-old when he was appointed head coach of the Springboks all the way back in 2004.
While he came incredibly highly-rated having worked in the SA Rugby system as a video analyst and technical advisor under Nick Mallett before guiding the SA U-21 side to a World Cup win in 2002, White was still a relative youngster in the international game.
Even after he won the 2007 World Cup at the age of 43, his work experience was confined to South African borders. Since then, he has broadened his horizons significantly.
White coached in Australia (Brumbies), South Africa (Sharks), France (Montpellier) and in Japan (Toyota Verblitz). There was even a stint in the pacific islands as a technical advisor to the Tongan national side in 2014.
It is an extensive resume that has made White one of the most respected coaches in the world and given him a global perspective that will no doubt aid the Bulls as they look to the now 56-year-old to turn things around at Loftus Versfeld as their Director of Rugby.
The Bulls were once mighty, having bagged the Super Rugby title in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Back then, the recipe was not complicated. They had a pack of forwards that was more physically imposing than any other in the southern hemisphere while the boot of Morne Steyn kept them playing in the right areas of the pitch. It helped, of course, that they were blessed with some of the best players South African rugby has ever produced.
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