A World Cup winner takes the helm
Jake White, the South African who guided his country to the 2007 Rugby World Cup title, has been appointed head coach of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians. The 62-year-old succeeds interim coach Senirusi Seruvakula as Fiji builds toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. White was shortlisted alongside former Wales and British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland and former France defence coach Shaun Edwards. His arrival brings more than four decades of coaching experience to the Pacific island nation.[S1]
White's crowning achievement came in 2007, when South Africa defeated England 15-6 in the final in Paris to claim their second Rugby World Cup. He coached the Springboks from 2004 to 2007, a period that also included the 2004 Tri Nations championship. He was named International Rugby Board Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2007 and was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2011. Before leading the Springboks, he had already guided South Africa's Under-21 team to a World Cup victory in 2002.[S1]
A career spanning continents
After leaving the Springboks, White coached Australia's ACT Brumbies, taking them to the 2013 Super Rugby final, before returning to South Africa to lead the Sharks. He also served as a technical advisor for Tonga in 2014. He later coached French club Montpellier, winning the European Challenge Cup, and then moved to Japan's Toyota Verblitz. In 2020 he became director of rugby at the Bulls in Pretoria, guiding the franchise to domestic success and three United Rugby Championship finals. He left the Bulls in 2025 and subsequently worked as a rugby consultant at Selborne College in South Africa.[S1]
Building for 2027
Fiji has been drawn in Pool C for the 2027 Rugby World Cup alongside Argentina, Canada and Spain. White will be tasked with building on Fiji's historic quarter-final appearance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France while preparing the side to compete consistently against the world's leading rugby nations.[S1]
Speaking at his announcement, White said his focus will be on creating genuine competition for every jersey and selecting players who are ready to give everything to represent Fiji. He stressed that the Flying Fijians belong to all Fijians, not just the players and coaching staff. Supporters, families, villages, schools, clubs, communities and Fijians living overseas all have a role to play in the team's success, he said. White added that every act of support and contribution will help strengthen the team as it works towards greater success on the international stage. He said he is grateful for the opportunity to lead the Flying Fijians and is determined to work with the team and the wider Fijian community to make the country proud, noting that the journey towards greater heights will require everyone to work together.[S2]
