SharksThe Sharks (Pty) Ltd would like to confirm the appointment of former Springbok World Cup winning coach, Jake White, as our new Director of Rugby.

White’s tenure will be effective from the end of October 2013.

Official Sharks Media Release

Confirming his appointment, The Sharks CEO John Smit said: “We are immensely happy to confirm the appointment of Jake White as our new Director of Rugby. We formed a formidable relationship during my playing career and I am delighted to re-establish that partnership, which is in line with our vision to take The Sharks to the next level.

“Jake is an experienced coach whose track record speaks volumes about his ability to rally his team and get the best out of them. We are pleased that he has decided to join The Sharks.”

Smit added: “Brendan Venter’s commitment to me was to drastically change our players’ environment which we think he has done with extreme success. Brendan has no written contract with The Sharks which is a testament to his character and his positive motives in coaching us and we will do whatever we can to keep him involved with us for as long as possible, in any capacity.”

Further information pertaining to the appointment will be released later today.

11 Responses to Sharks get their Great.. err I mean Jake White shark

  • 1

    Mmmmm, I frown on how easy it was to simply shut Brendan Venter out… anyway, it is done.

  • 2

    Brendan dalk vir die Bulle of WP ?

  • 3

    It looks like Jake the Snake has taught his prodigy well. I fear that at some stage the Sharks are going to cry…..

  • 4

    @ Just For Kicks:
    I am just glad the Bulls did not grab him. I have NO love for him.

  • 5

    Ek groet vir n paar dae , gaan bietjie die baie liggies van Guateng besoek, geniet die Rugby geselsies
    Praat weer waneer ek kan

  • 6

    Brendan wanted it this way, he never had a formal contract and want to spend more time as this medical practice. There is no malice here.
    Bigger problem is with Jake, he chases fame, so come a potential national coaching spot at lets say Ireland, he will leave.
    Till then the Sharks will reap the benefits

  • 7

    1 @ grootblousmile:
    Before you frown, you should find out exactly who wanted Jake to come to the Sharks first. It was Brendan Venter himself that suggested to John to bring in Jake White or Robbie Deans. Venter told John to get Jake as DOR. As he had spoke to Jake himself on a plane flight about it. So you wrong again NO-ONE shut out Brendan. Venter had said from the very start of CC at the Sharks he would ONLY be there until the end of CC. A few of us knew that though.

    From this Sharkie I am truly pleased we have a world cup winning coach at the Sharks.

  • 8

    3 @ Just For Kicks:
    What did Jake teach John exactly? It was Brendan Venter that suggested to John to get Jake. So have no idea what you talking about.

    A few should always know the facts before they say things.

  • 9

    @ Puma:
    Why so defensive?

    If it was common knowledge that Venter either never intended to stay past the CC, or that he (Venter) suggested to Smit that Jake should be approached, why didn’t the Sharks put the info’ into the public domain?

    I think that the majority of RT bloggers keep themselves up to date with the news in the Rugby world, and can honestly say that I’ve not read any the info’ that you now reveal previously. Although, that said, I haven’t exactly been active on line of late.

    The problem with Jake White is that his reputation precedes him.

    After holding the moral high ground directly after RWC 2007, due mainly to his treatment by SARU, Jake became something of a “Rugby Gypsey”, moving from place to place looking for the ideal location to settle down, whilst inadvertently (and I’m sure without realising it) p1ssing both employers, and supporters alike off.

    To say nothing of the harm he caused his own reputation, especially towards those detractors he already had amongst the SA National team’s supporters, with the Rugby public in general.

    Whether or not he will be good for Sharks Rugby remains to be seen.

    He certainly left the Lions in a pickle after he was here in JHB, and the “sous chef” he left behind to finish the cooking, Tricky Dicky, was an even bigger disaster.

    Personally, I think he’s a VERY astute coach, but I doubt very much whether his style of play wll fit in with the Sharks culture.

    But hey, what do I know about Rugby?

  • 11

    I think the Sharks will do well under Jake White. He is still one of the top 5 coaches in the world in my opinion. Yes he has a bit of a attitude problem and yes he does chase fame. But lets be honest. Any coach who passes up a national coaching job for any of the top 10 sides should see a doctor.

    And I hope to see Brendan at WP/Stormers. As this is my team, and I feel that Coetzee is doing well at Curry Cup level but at Super Rugby level the Stormers just seems to lack that x-factor. Last year was the first time that WP has won any silverware since 2001. We have seen numerous players in that era come and go, so it is not the players. So we should start looking at beefing up our coaching staff. It was fun at first to see no one score any tries against us, but the fact that we have only once scored more that 4 tries in this years curry cup is a bit sad. And this needs to rectified. And I dont think Allister is going to change this any time soon.

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