Jake White, the national rugby coach, has reportedly threatened to resign over selection issues. White is said to be frustrated with interference in his team selections from several quarters in SA Rugby and has reportedly issued an ultimatum.
To add the to the national team’s woes, veteran prop Os du Randt has been ruled out of the crunch second Test against the French in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon.
This was confirmed by Springbok media liaison Rayaan Adriaanse on Saturday morning. ”I can confirm that Os will not play,” he said.
Although coach Jake White has played down the loss of the Bok talisman for Saturday’s clash, without him the tight five looks decidedly shaky, writes Sapa’s Andrew Hollely.
Du Randt injured his hamstring at the captain’s run at the EPRU Stadium on Friday afternoon, but team management have still to confirm his withdrawal from the line-up.
”Os was re-assessed this morning and it was decided not to risk him for today’s match,” Adriaanse said.
It is not known at this stage how long Du Randt will be out of action.
Prop Lawrence Sephaka will switch from tighthead to loosehead, and CJ van der Linde coming into the number three position.
Gurthro Steenkamp will move onto the bench.
The Bok camp was remaining tight-lipped over shock newspaper reports on Saturday that White was threatening to resign as coach over selection issues.
”I can’t comment on that. That’s an issue for SA Rugby,” said Adriaanse.
If the powers that be do not comply, White may vacate his job on Monday — just two days before the Boks depart for Australia to take on the Wallabies in the first Mandela Cup clash.
Should White stand down, SA under-21 coach Pieter de Villiers is understood to be next in line.
De Villiers is currently in Argentina where his Baby Boks take on Australia in the World Cup final later on Saturday night. – Sapa