White has no fears over future

LONDON – Despite losing two out of two Tests on South Africa’s end of year tour, coach Jake White appeared remarkably unconcerned about his job security after a defeat to England at Twickenham.

South Africa surrendered a 12-point lead on Saturday to lose 23-21 against the world champions after suffering a 32-15 defeat to Ireland the week before. Earlier in the week, the Blue Bulls, one of South Africa’s most influential rugby unions, called for the immediate resignation of White and his whole coaching staff.This was despite the fact that the group representing all regional union presidents on the board of the national governing body had approved of White’s plan to rest several senior stars and use the tour to experiment with younger players ahead of next year’s World Cup.”What can you do?” asked White rhetorically after the Springboks had suffered their seventh successive defeat against England.”I don’t really know what to say about things like that.But I did receive a call from Heyneke Meyer (Bulls coach) saying he supported me fully.Evidently it was the amateur wing that was so unhappy with me.”He added: “In this job you’re always under pressure and the reality is that no matter who has this job, he is always going to be in a difficult position.”What I have to remember is to look at the bigger picture,” said the former Under-21 boss who earlier this year came under fire after the Springboks lost five Tests in a row.Nampa-AFPEarlier in the week, the Blue Bulls, one of South Africa’s most influential rugby unions, called for the immediate resignation of White and his whole coaching staff.This was despite the fact that the group representing all regional union presidents on the board of the national governing body had approved of White’s plan to rest several senior stars and use the tour to experiment with younger players ahead of next year’s World Cup.”What can you do?” asked White rhetorically after the Springboks had suffered their seventh successive defeat against England.”I don’t really know what to say about things like that.But I did receive a call from Heyneke Meyer (Bulls coach) saying he supported me fully.Evidently it was the amateur wing that was so unhappy with me.”He added: “In this job you’re always under pressure and the reality is that no matter who has this job, he is always going to be in a difficult position.”What I have to remember is to look at the bigger picture,” said the former Under-21 boss who earlier this year came under fire after the Springboks lost five Tests in a row.Nampa-AFP