White to stay in charge?
by
2007-10-22 07:45
Paris - Springboks coach Jake White could yet stay in charge of the world champions if he can find common ground with SA Rugby chiefs who are determined to carry out radical changes to the game.
One plan is to refuse to select foreign-based players for the national team.
If that was followed through, skipper John Smit and Victor Matfield, man of the match in Saturday's 15-6 Rugby World Cup final win over England, would be lost to the Springboks' cause.
The two influential forwards will play club rugby in France next season with Matfield going to Toulon and Smit playing for Clermont.
"For me the reality is you have the best captain South Africa have ever had, you have the best lock, and it would be mad if you're not going to use them playing in Test matches when they're world champions," said White.
Thirty-year-old Matfield, who won his 66th cap at the Stade de France on Saturday, said he was hoping his international career wasn't at an end because of his decision to join ambitious French second division side Toulon.
"Hopefully we can still play for South Africa because we're so proud to play," said Matfield.
Scrumhalf Fourie du Preez admitted that rugby in South Africa faced an uncertain future with question marks over White's future, the foreign-based players' row as well as the controversy over race quotas.
"Things are unsettled and we don't know what's going to happen in South African rugby," said du Preez.
"Hopefully, common sense will prevail. It's important not to change things too much. We have to get the best coach and give the players who won the World Cup a say in South African rugby.
"We should try and keep the players that go overseas in South Africa."
White, who has been expected to stand down and hasn't reapplied for the job, said he will still talk to the governing body about his future.
"The reality is that I want to spend some time, go away, think about what I think is important, find out from South Africa rugby what their plans are," he said.
"Are we going to keep this group together? Can I pick John as a captain if he's playing in France?
"All these things need be answered, and if that's all yes, yes, yes, then I can make a decision, but at this point I just want to finish my contract."