White slams ‘flawed’ SA rugby system after Sharks axe Plumtree

FORMER Bulls coach Jake White has come out to bat for Sharks boss John Plumtree, who this week was informed that he would be replaced as head coach at the end of the current season.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The 2007 World Cup-winning coach believes South African rugby has a flawed system that makes life very difficult for provincial coaches — particularly those whose squads are top-heavy with Springboks, as is the case with the Sharks.

“What has happened with Plum is another red flag for me around a problem that is ultimately going to cost South African rugby, because the franchise level of the game is going to end up dying,” White told SuperSport.

“I’m out of the system now, but I know well that you can’t juggle three competitions while there are key players in your team who need to have a mandatory eight-week resting period during those competitions, and you have players managing themselves. Pressure is put on you by player unions if you're seen not to handle them correctly.