United Rugby Championship: Boost for Bulls as Jake White returns after life-threatening surgery

David Skippers
Bulls boss Jake White.

Bulls boss Jake White.

The Bulls have announced that their director of rugby, Jake White, has made a full recovery after he had an operation which kept him on the sidelines for the past four weeks.

White, who was South Africa head coach when they won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, underwent emergency surgery and spent a week in intensive care to save him from a blood clot that damaged his small intestine.

This after the 59-year-old was feeling unwell and did not make it to the stadium for the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship (URC) victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade on January 6.

He was seemingly on the mend by the time the team returned to South Africa.

However, White then complained of debilitating stomach cramps and was rushed to a hospital in Pretoria to go under the knife.

He has now recovered and was reunited with the Bulls players, who have been on a two-week break since their URC loss to the Scarlets, on Thursday as they prepare for their run towards the end of the season.

Morale-booster for the Bulls

Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone said White’s return was a morale-booster for the Pretoria-based outfit.

“It is great to have Jake return. We are happy to not only see him back where he belongs but to have him with us means that he is back at full health and that is comforting knowing the tough period he went through,” he said.

“His influence on everyone at Loftus is immeasurable and knowing that he is back, certainly does give all of us an extra kick in our step.

“I know he is raring to go after what has probably felt a long time away from what he loves doing. We are incredibly lucky to have his calibre of coach a part of the Vodacom Bulls family and know that there is more great things ahead for us all, with him here.

“Welcome back, Jake!”

The Bulls will return to action when they host the Stormers in a URC derby at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, February 18.

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