Smit clarifies Jake White rumours
THERE is growing conjecture in the media that former Springbok coach Jake White is certain to take over from Brendan Venter as director of rugby at the Sharks next year, but Sharks chief executive John Smit says this scenario has no concrete basis.
However, Smit did not rule out the possibility, should there be negotiations with White, and Venter chooses to move on. The latter has an open-ended agreement with the Sharks, and no formal contract.
In response to media reports yesterday that quoted “reliable” sources as saying White was definitely taking over at the Sharks, Smit told The Mercury: “I find it interesting to read all these stories as fact. My stance remains as it was last week.
“I have called Jake’s agent, Craig Livingstone, to ascertain where Jake stands, and his response was simple: Jake has still he has done with extreme success,” Smit said.
“I will do whatever I can to keep him involved with us for as long as possible, in any capacity.”
The Sharks are top of the Currie Cup log with two rounds remaining before the semi-finals.
White, meanwhile, confirmed yesterday that he would be interested in coaching the Sharks.
“When you get a guy like John Smit running the Sharks, it makes sense for me to renew our relationship. I have known him since he was 16 years old,” White said of his captain when the Boks won the 2007 Rugby World Cup.”
However, he also expressed an interest in coaching Western Province.
“I live in Cape Town. My boys are at school at Bishops and I’d love to coach Western Province,” he said.
WP coach Allister Coetzee, who signed a three-year contract extension with the Cape Town side last year, said he was not threatened by White’s hints about wanting his job.
“I don’t want to say anything because I have no control over Jake White’s mouth and what he says.
“My contract is what I have control over.
“I’m not a guy who feels threatened by anyone. Jake and I will always stay good friends, but what he says is his thing. Remember that he also said that Australian players are clever players.”
White, who said he would like to return to coaching at Test level, is believed to have been aggrieved about losing out on the Australian national team coaching job to Ewen McKenzie earlier this year.
“My first prize is to get back into international rugby, so my view is that I have to try and find a way,” the 50year-old said.
“I am in the job of coaching and I want to coach rugby. I’ve made it quite clear with the Australians – there was an opportunity and the door was closed and the landscape has now changed.”