Jake White

Jake White was born in Johannesburg and attended Jeppe High School for Boys where he played in the First XV.

In 2004 he was appointed as the Springbok coach, winning the Tri Nations in 2004 and World Cup in 2007 (see prior history at * below)

After finishing with the Springbok team he was on the IRB Rugby Committee and consulted to clubs in Japan, UK, as well as, to teams in the Pacific Islands.

He coached the Brumbies in 2012 and 2013 winning The Australian Conference both years.  Brumbies played in Super Rugby Final against Chiefs in 2013.

In 2014 he joined The Sharks Rugby Union coaching the super rugby team.  The Sharks won the conference finishing 3rd overall, eventually losing in the semi-finals away to the Crusaders.

In November 2014 he assisted the Tongan National team as an adviser.

In December 2014 he joined Montpellier Rugby Club to take over mid-season.

In July 2017 he joined the Toyota Verblitz team in Japan.

In 2020, he became the Director of Rugby for The Bulls

In 2023, he underwent life-threatening surgery which not only changed his approach to life, but also his approach to rugby and with it, a number of 180 degree changes we can all learn from. 

ACHIEVEMENTS:

PRIOR TO BEING SPRINGBOK RUGBY COACH:

  • He coached the Springbok Under-21 side to 13/15 victories in 2002 – 2003. Winning Junior RWC 2002 and playing Semi-Finals in 2003
  • 2000-2001 Springboks Assistant Coach
  • 2000 Assistant Coach to the Natal Sharks
  • 1997 National Coaching Congress lecturer
  • Fitness Coach and Technical Adviser for Gauteng Lions in Super 12
  • 1995-1997 Director of Coaching for Transvaal Rugby Union
  • 1995 Attended International Coaching Congress
  • 1989-1994 Coached Jeppe Boys High School First XV.
  • Unbeaten in 1991 and 1994, beating Grey High School 46–0 in his last game as coach.
  • 1986-1988 Coached 14a, 15a
  • 1986-1994 Worked as a Physical Education teacher
  • 1982-1985 Coached Parktown Boys High First XV
  • Johannesburg College of Education First XV – Hooker
  • Jeppe Old Boys Under 21 – Hooker

SPRINGBOK RUGBY COACH:

  • Winning the Tri Nations (2004)
  • Winning the World Cup (2007)
  • Taking South Africa from 6th on the IRB World Rankings (2003) to 1st (2007)
  • IRB International Coach of the Year (2004, 2007)
  • As coach of the Springboks, he had a winning ratio of 67%, with 36 wins in 54 games with one draw and 17 defeats
  • Biggest score ever achieved by a Springbok side (134-3 against Uruguay in 2005)
  • First home series win against France since 1975
  • First victory over the All Blacks at Newlands since 1976
  • Consecutive wins against Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 1998
  • Most successful South African team at home in the history of Springbok rugby, undefeated at home in 11 tests (they would extend this streak to 13)
  • First South African team to beat Australia 3 times in the same year since 1971
  • First South African team to beat Australia in Australia since 1998
  • Inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame (2011)

BRUMBIES RUGBY COACH:

  • Won the conference in 2012 and 2013
  • Beat the British and Irish Lions – the first club team to beat them
  • In 2013 was named Australian Coach of the year

MONTPELLIER RUGBY COACH:

  • Joined Montpellier Rugby Club in Dec 2014 to take over mid-season
  • Won the Challenge Cup (2015)
  • Played in semi-final of Top 14 after finishing 3rd on the log
  • Montpellier Challenge Cup Winners 2016

TOYOTA VERBLITZ COACH

  • Joined Toyota Rugby Club in July 2017; semi finalists in top league 2017/2018 and 2018/2019
  • Winners Japan Cup 2017/2018
  • Finishes contract in January 2020

VODACOM BULLS

Appointed Director of Rugby until the 2023 World Cup

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*He began his coaching career as a high school rugby coach at Parktown Boys High School’s first XV before returning to his old school as a teacher and as coach of the school’s First XV. White’s success with the school team resulted in him being appointed as provincial schools coach.

  • He coached various under-19 and under-21 sides before assisting Springbok squad preparations by doing video analysis for them.
  • From 1997 to 1999 he was a technical advisor to Nick Mallet, being part of the 17 Test winning record by the Springboks.
  • In 1999 he was the assistance coach to the U-21 Springboks, coached by Eric Sauls and captained by John Smit. While assistant coach of the U-21, they won the SANZAR tournament in Argentina, beating England, Ireland, Wales, Australia, France on route to the finals and then beat New Zealand in the final.
  • From 2000 – 2001 he was an assistant to Harry Viljoen at the Springboks. By this time he was well known for his technical prowess in rugby circles, and he lived up to his reputation by coaching the under-21 Springbok side to a victory in the U-21 Rugby Union World Cup in 2002.
  • He coached the South African u/21 team 2002 – 2003, winning 13/15 of the test matches they played

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"Jake was so informative and discussed exactly why our delegates had to get to the Rugby World Cup in 2011. He spoke passionately about rugby and the audience were eager to ask questions during the Q&A. "

Brenda KaytonApollo Tyres/Dunlop

'He was extremely well received his content and the way he tied in his experiences with the team to running a business was excellent. He is naturally a good speaker and has a great way of coming across to a very diverse audience. Time passed by so fast that we could have kept him on the stage for another hour. Our retailers commented on his approachability and his willingness to entertain photographs.'

Mario Santana SPAR

'He was fantastic, his nature and approach make him a speaker of note.'

Greg SmithIngwenyama Lodge

His delivery style and content were absolutely fantastic

The Buying Exchange

"Absolutely Fantastic. 10/10! "

The Showgroup

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