Jake White has a desire to coach South Africa again, but the ACT Brumbies are adamant the former World Cup-winning mentor will not return to international rugby until he finishes his four-year tenure in Canberra.
White said his passion to be an international coach has been reignited by the World Cup in New Zealand and said he would ‘‘definitely put my CV in’’ when the Springboks job was advertised.
But the Brumbies have hosed down speculation White will walk out on the club before coaching a game despite reports linking him to an immediate return to South Africa.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said he was aware of White’s hopes of one day being the South African coach again, but insisted he would be in Canberra until the end of the 2015 Super Rugby season.
‘‘Jake just wanted to make sure South Africa knew he wasn’t turning his back on them just because he was coaching an Australian team,’’ Fagan said.
‘‘But his interest could only be acted upon when he’s available.
‘‘He wants to be sure he’s not seen as walking away from South Africa and he would be interested again when he was available.
‘‘He is 100 per cent committed to the Brumbies for the next four years, but he wanted to make sure the South African public and hierarchy he’d like to one day coach the Springboks again.’’
White was announced as the new Brumbies coach in April and officially took over the top job in April.
The Springboks were the defending World Cup champions, but were knocked out of the tournament by the Wallabies in Wellington on Sunday.
Following the defeat, coach Peter de Villiers hinted he would no longer lead the team.
De Villiers has since backtracked and said he was not stepping down as head coach, instead he expects his contract not to be renewed beyond December.
White declared his interest in replacing de Villiers, but has told the Brumbies he would only be available at the end of his four-year contract in Canberra.
White led South Africa to the 2007 World Cup title.
‘‘It’s not a case of tossing and turning,’’ White said.
‘‘People want to aspire to the top level and that’s where you judge yourself as a coach.
‘‘....At this point in time people have asked if I would be interested and of course I would be interested in being an international coach again.
‘‘But at this stage I’m committed to the Brumbies.’’
White told South Africa’s Cape Argus: “Being at the World Cup and experiencing the tournament has re-ignited my desire to get back into international rugby,” White said.
“I'd like to make myself available for the Bok job.
‘‘...The last time [2008] I was told I didn't get the job because I didn't apply for the position, and I want to make sure that South Africans know I never turned my back on Springbok rugby and that I have always wanted to be a part of it.
“Whenever the job officially becomes available, I'll definitely put my CV in.”