White on his way to Japan?

Montpellier head coach Jake White is set to further his career in Japan according to South African media reports.

According to a Netwerk24 article, three sources have confirmed that representatives of Top League outfit Toyota Verblitz visited White in Montpellier this week to finalise his appointment.

It is also reported that England head coach Eddie Jones, who was Japan’s coach during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, recommended White for the position at Verblitz.

Jones was a technical advisor for the Springboks when they won the 2007 World Cup in France under White’s guidance.

White’s current deal with Montpellier expires in June and he will be replaced by outgoing Scotland head coach Vern Cotter.

erblitz already have a strong South African presence in their ranks. The club entered into a partnership with the Cheetahs last year and former Cheetahs and Springbok prop Os du Randt was their scrum coach until earlier this year.

Du Randt has opted not to renew his contract but it is believed that his former Bok team-mate CJ van der Linde will replace him if White’s negotiations with Verblitz are successful.

Van der Linde is currently working with White as Montpellier’s scrum coach although his contract with the Top 14 club also expires in June.