Jake White was officially recognised as the Springbok rugby coach on Wednesday evening when he finally put pen to paper to sign his long-awaited contract.
The players have, in addition, resolved their dispute with SA Rugby to some degree with an interim arrangement for the first three Tests, with the blessing of the South African Rugby Players’ Association (Sarpa).
White countered speculation that he had been dragging his heels on the contract issue when he told journalists that he is happy with the way the deal has been handled.
”I was never under the impression that I was being forced to sign. We entered into a verbal agreement [at the time of the announcement in January] and since then I have just been concentrating on the coaching job.”
According to Theunie Lategan, chairperson of the board of SA Rugby, White had been in protracted negotiations with SA Rugby since his appointment in January.
”The main reason it has taken so long is that we were inserting the performance clause, but that is no excuse because we really should have done it earlier.”
Lategan also said that statements made by South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Brian van Rooyen that Sarfu is taking over the Springbok team are incorrect.
”Mr Van Rooyen only intended to take away certain responsibilities of SA Rugby and not that the team would fall under Sarfu,” said Lategan at a press conference late on Wednesday evening.
Ultimately that means that the Bok team is now back in the hands of SA Rugby, after Van Rooyen was quoted in a Sarfu press release two weeks ago saying that he is taking over the running of the Bok team.
White’s contract has been extended to May 31 2006 and contains a performance clause — the first Bok coach to have such a clause inserted in his contract.
This will be reviewed at the end of this year, but according to Lategan will not see White lose his job.
”The review is not to consider a severance issue, it’s more about whether he qualifies for bonuses. Jake is earning a lot less than previous coaches, but stands to earn more if he produces the goods.”
Piet Heymans, CEO of Sarpa, was pleased with the current situation.
”The players have all been given letters clarifying the announced pay issues as well as several outstanding issues. Ultimately though the gap is closing and I’m positive we will have the bulk of the issues resolved in the near future.”
Sarpa has a scheduled presentation to the board of SA Rugby on June 24 and Heymans is hopeful that by then most of the problems will have been ironed out. — Sapa