FIJI APPOINTED RUGBY World Cup-winning coach Jake White on Tuesday to lead the team into next year’s tournament in Australia.
The 62-year-old South African masterminded the Springboks’ 2007 World Cup triumph and went on to coach teams in Australia, South Africa, France and Japan.
He was the technical adviser to Tonga before joining the Bulls in Pretoria in 2020 as director of rugby. He stood down last year.
The experienced White “understands what it takes to build a World Cup-winning team,” said John Sanday, chairman of Fijian rugby.
“His experience, leadership and championship mentality are exactly the qualities we want to bring into our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2027,” Sanday said.
Advertisement
Jake White (centre) celebrating South Africa's 2007 World Cup final win with Bryan Habana and John Smit. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
White said: “Fiji holds a special place in world rugby.
“There are very few nations where the game means so much to its people, and where the players bring such extraordinary natural ability, courage and passion to the field.”
Rugby’s biggest-ever World Cup kicks off in October next year with a record 24 teams clashing over six weeks in Australia.
Fiji will play their first game against Spain on 4 October at Newcastle Stadium.
This is a fascinating appointment, as the two don’t seem a natural fit (interestingly, Warren Gatland was reportedly close to landing the job).
Yet it’s tempting to think it might just work. With Fiji, the attacking flair comes naturally, as does an awesome athleticism.
What is perhaps too often missing is more structure. Nobody wants to see the Flying Fijians in a straightjacket, but White will be expected to improve the squad by adding a bit more stability and building the setpiece with a powerful pack to work with.
The potential is there, Fiji reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup (losing by six points to England), and have been placed with Argentina, Spain and Canada in Pool C at next year’s tournament. The path to the knock-outs is not the most challenging, but building depth will remain a key priority if they are to close the gap on the top nations.
There is the obvious potential of a culture clash, with the South African carrying a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, but the short run-in to next year’s World Cup could ensure the messaging doesn’t have time to grow stale.
White is good at delivering quick improvements and making teams hard to beat. If he can do that – while ensuring Fiji remain hard to defend – he’ll have the foundations of a strong outfit.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Fiji appoint ex-Springboks boss White as coach ahead of World Cup
FIJI APPOINTED RUGBY World Cup-winning coach Jake White on Tuesday to lead the team into next year’s tournament in Australia.
The 62-year-old South African masterminded the Springboks’ 2007 World Cup triumph and went on to coach teams in Australia, South Africa, France and Japan.
He was the technical adviser to Tonga before joining the Bulls in Pretoria in 2020 as director of rugby. He stood down last year.
The experienced White “understands what it takes to build a World Cup-winning team,” said John Sanday, chairman of Fijian rugby.
“His experience, leadership and championship mentality are exactly the qualities we want to bring into our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2027,” Sanday said.
White said: “Fiji holds a special place in world rugby.
“There are very few nations where the game means so much to its people, and where the players bring such extraordinary natural ability, courage and passion to the field.”
Rugby’s biggest-ever World Cup kicks off in October next year with a record 24 teams clashing over six weeks in Australia.
Fiji will play their first game against Spain on 4 October at Newcastle Stadium.
– © AFP 2026
****
The 42 View
- Ciarán Kennedy
This is a fascinating appointment, as the two don’t seem a natural fit (interestingly, Warren Gatland was reportedly close to landing the job).
Yet it’s tempting to think it might just work. With Fiji, the attacking flair comes naturally, as does an awesome athleticism.
What is perhaps too often missing is more structure. Nobody wants to see the Flying Fijians in a straightjacket, but White will be expected to improve the squad by adding a bit more stability and building the setpiece with a powerful pack to work with.
The potential is there, Fiji reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup (losing by six points to England), and have been placed with Argentina, Spain and Canada in Pool C at next year’s tournament. The path to the knock-outs is not the most challenging, but building depth will remain a key priority if they are to close the gap on the top nations.
There is the obvious potential of a culture clash, with the South African carrying a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, but the short run-in to next year’s World Cup could ensure the messaging doesn’t have time to grow stale.
White is good at delivering quick improvements and making teams hard to beat. If he can do that – while ensuring Fiji remain hard to defend – he’ll have the foundations of a strong outfit.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Fiji Jake White Rugby South Africa Springboks