‘No way’ – Jake White’s firm response over the future of Welsh-qualified South African starlet

Bulls coach Jake White has reiterated loose forward Cameron Hanekom is not leaving amid reported interest from Wales coach Warren Gatland.

Hanekom put in a player of the match performance against Saracens in the Champions Cup last week – and has shone for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship this season.

On a long-term deal

“Cameron has signed until 2027,” said White of Hanekom, who qualifies to play for the Welsh. His grandmother was born in Wales.

“There’s no way I’d release him from his contract. I’m planning like I’ll have him around for the next four seasons minimum, which coincides with the remainder of my tenure.

“It’s our job to ensure he’s looked after and enjoys his rugby here and doesn’t have aspirations to play for anyone else. It’s one of those things.

“I talk confidently that I don’t see him wanting to go and we certainly don’t want him to go. One season doesn’t make him, though, and I think he appreciates that.”

White will likely name Hanekom in the starting XV for this week’s Champions Cup fixture against Lyon in France. The Bulls will go into this match on the back of a 27-16 win over Saracens in the same competition last week.

“Cameron is 21 years old and can’t play 80 minutes every week because of the age of his physical body. It’s a young body still that will get bigger and better. We’ll have to look how we manage that process,” added White.

“We’re in the great position of being able to let him play alongside guys like Marcell Coetzee and Akker van der Merwe. It’s just going to make him better.”

Elsewhere in the Champions Cup this week, the Stormers will host title holders La Rochelle in Cape Town and five-time champions Toulouse will play Harlequins in London.

READ MORE: Stormers coach expects huge scrum battle in crunch Champions Cup clash with La Rochelle