Jake White’s Bulls exit date emerges but there is a twist regarding the availability of one of the favourites to replace him – report
Bulls boss Jake White
Jake White is expected to be ousted from his Bulls job within the next two weeks, according to latest reports in South Africa, but there is no clarity yet on who will take over when he exits.
Despite recently guiding the Pretoria franchise to its third United Rugby Championship final in four seasons, the director of rugby has been the focus of a player and coaching rebellion that has Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone set to act even though White, the Springboks’ 2007 Rugby World Cup winning coach, has a contract through to 2027.
Rapport has stated: “The Bulls are expected to announce within the next two weeks that Jake White will no longer hold the reins at Loftus Versfeld. His contract as head coach and director of rugby, which runs until 2027, will be cut short.
“This follows a rebellion at Loftus with senior players and head coaches not satisfied with White’s leadership… Informed sources have stressed over the past week that White’s relationship with a group of his players and his assistant coaches Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw has irreparably broken down.
“Several players are even threatening not to extend their contracts, or even to cut them short if the Bulls do not get a ‘new voice’. The 61-year-old White’s relationship with Edgar Rathbone, the Bulls’ CEO, is also no longer as watertight as it was when he was appointed in 2020.”
“I don’t envy Jake…”
With White set to leave, speculation has ignited over who could replace him. Ex-Gloucester boss Johan Ackermann is said to be a favourite. However, his availability has now been clouded by suggestions that he has received a contract extension offer from Dave Wessels, the SARU head of rugby, to continue with the Junior Boks following next month’s conclusion to the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.
Two reasons why Ackermann could be targeted by the Bulls are that he will be out of contract by the end of July (if he hasn’t signed a new SARU deal), and he also has a strong existing relationship with CEO Rathbone as they previously worked together at the Lions.
Other suggested replacements for the Bulls are said to be Johann van Graan and Franco Smith. The issue with both those coaches is they are currently under contract and a transfer fee would be required. Van Graan has a deal with recent Premiership title winners Bath through to 2030 while Smith is tied to Glasgow, the 2024 URC champions, until 2026.
There have been murmurings in Scotland about Smith’s role next season as rules surrounding foreign players and the budget available to strengthen the Warriors have presented major challenges.
Appearing on the latest episode of The Lekker Rugby Pod, he was asked about the unfolding White situation at the Bulls. Smith said: “I don’t envy Jake. That’s something that all coaches dread, to be in a position like that.
“It’s a difficult time for him and I don’t want to now say too much about that. Nothing has been decided yet. I think the meeting is only going to be in 10 days.
“I know what the intent is behind it, but you can understand that it is a difficult period for everybody at Loftus and Jake specifically. So, for now, it would be disrespectful for me to comment more than that.”
