Sport

Time for Bulls to take hands and sing 'Kumbaya' after Jake White's ugly departure

COMMENT

John Goliath|Published

Jake White and the Bulls have parted ways after rumours of dressing room split.

Image: Backpagepix

COMMENT

It remains to be seen whether the Bulls will now sit in a circle, hold hands and sing Kumbaya following the departure of director of rugby Jake White.

Reports of ugly infighting and a player revolt had been rife over the past few months. And, after weeks of speculation, White has left the Bulls after five years in charge of the franchise.

It was widely reported, following last month’s United Rugby Championship final — won 32–7 by Leinster — that a number of Bulls players were unhappy with White’s post-match comments. White essentially said that the players at his disposal were not good enough to compete with the likes of the Irish giants.

This reportedly sparked a player revolt, led by captain Ruan Nortje and Springbok Marcell Coetzee, who also raised concerns about White’s management style. There were additional rumours of a major fallout between White and assistant coaches Chris Rossouw and Andries Bekker.

The Bulls’ once-celebrated team culture seems fractured, with White clearly at the centre of the dressing-room drama.

The Bulls kept things respectful in their announcement of his departure, praising his contributions over the last five years. White, too, avoided criticism, signing off his farewell with a nostalgic “hou die blou bol! (hold the blue ball)

Ironically, White’s long-standing call for more Springbok reinforcements was finally answered this week — just after his exit. The Bulls announced a raft of signings to bolster the URC outfit ahead of next season.

They have acquired the services of veteran centre Jan Serfontein, Springbok locks Marvin Orie and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, and Stormers scrumhalf Paul de Wet. Bok flyhalf Handré Pollard is also set to return to Pretoria next season.

The side also confirmed that star Bok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse will return to the kraal from his loan spell in Japan. Arendse reportedly ignored White’s calls while abroad and failed to return in time to be considered for the URC playoffs.

The Bulls are still weighing up their options for a new coach, with former Lions boss Johan Ackermann and Bath’s Johann van Graan among the names being mentioned as possible replacements.

White remains one of South Africa’s finest rugby coaches, with a decorated CV and a Rugby World Cup triumph in 2007 to his name. But there is no escaping his reputation for implosions after a few years in charge—something that has followed him from job to job. In truth, some observers were surprised that his Bulls tenure lasted as long as it did.

The incoming coach’s first job will be to reunite a divided dressing room. The sooner the Bulls put this turbulent episode behind them, the better.

This is a big union with great resources, but perhaps it is the lack of cohesion—rather than talent alone—that has seen them fall short in all three URC finals they have played in over the past four years.

Talent can carry a side to the final. But a strong team environment, playing for one another and the badge, is what gets a team over the line.

Taking each other’s hands and singing Kumbaya may not be such a bad idea after all.