South African Rugby would have to spend more than R20-million to get rid of Springbok coach Jake White, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
It said the coach and his sizeable coaching and management team, as well as several contracted members of the national team, would have to be offered large severance packages. In addition, contracts would have to be offered to a new coach with a new coaching and management team and his favourite players.
SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins had denied rumours that White may be fired before the end of the South African team’s tour of Europe.
He responded to a report in Rapport newspaper that White would be replaced by Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer.
”There is absolutely no truth in this story,” Hoskins said from Paris.
”There was no special meeting or any other meeting last week to determine Jake’s position.”
Hoskins agreed SA Rugby could, officially, take a thorough look at the Springbok tour, at a later stage.
A committee comprising, among others, the managers of national teams as well as that of the Springbok team would be asked to undertake this task.
SA Rugby is reportedly unhappy with White’s performance and his team selections during the past year.
His future is likely to be discussed by the presidents’ council of SA Rugby on November 29. The organisation’s board is scheduled to meet on December 8. – Sapa