New Springbok manager Zola Yeye has moved from being Jake White’s strongest critics to possibly one of his closest allies.
The two men showed a united front at Yeye’s first press conference after being appointed as Springbok manager.
Speaking at the press conference, held at the Springbok team’s hotel in Johannesburg, White admitted that he and the players had been sceptical of Yeye before the appointment.
Furthermore, Yeye had criticised White on the controversy surrounding the selection of Solly Tyibilika to play against the All Blacks during the away leg of the Tri-Nations.
”Whatever has happened in the past is in the past. People have a right to be critical, so what was said has happened. I like what was agreed upon between myself and Mr Yeye. I was sceptical and so were the players, but we aren’t any more because we realise that Zola wants to add value and wants the same things we want.
”Before this I had never met Mr Yeye and there were obviously perceptions; they even happen in the sporting game,” said White.
However, in true diplomatic style, White acknowledged that Yeye will add value to the team but have no say in team selection, as that is the sole mandate and privilege of the coach.
”Zola has a say, but the buck stops with the coach. He is a rugby guy and knows the feeling of losing and winning,” White said.
A former Springbok himself, Yeye stressed that he wants to see the Springboks win not only on this tour but also at next year’s World Cup and beyond.
”I told the players that there is one formula, and that is to win and win convincingly. I have made my commitment and I will put every ounce of my blood in supporting this team,” Yeye said.
Even after being denied the opportunity to put on the green-and-gold blazer of the Springboks due to South Africa’s past discriminatory laws, Yeye stressed the need to build a strong Springbok team.
”I couldn’t be part of the Boks then, but since then we have moved on to a new Bok team. That atmosphere [of the past] has been washed down by the events happening today. The focus should be on building the team; mine is to add value,” Yeye said.
Yeye said he will still continue with his position as Eastern Cape regional manager for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), but that he will soon be discussing his future plans with SABC group CEO Dali Mpofu.
Yeye commenced his duties on Friday when he was introduced to the Springbok team at their morning training session. He will accompany the team on their European tour when they leave South Africa on Saturday. — Sapa