mens
international
Fiji have appointed former Springboks head coach Jake White on a short-term contract until the end of 2027. Rugby World Cup in Australia.
White, who coached the Springbok under-21 side to victory at the Under-21 World Cup in 2002, will replace interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who took over from Mick Byrne, who left the role in April.
The South African-born former Springboks head coach will lead the Flying Fijians in their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign in Australia, looking to repeat or improve on the side’s 2023 quarter-final finish. France competition.
The coach who won the Rugby World Cup in 2007 beat the former Wales boss Warren Gatland for the exciting role, which had over 30 applicants.
The head coaching role was announced in late August following the union’s decision to part ways with Byrne in April 2026.
White and the Flying Fijians will meet the head coach’s former squad ahead of Australia’s Rugby World Cup, billed as the “Competition on the Coast”, to be played at the Polytec Stadium in Gosford on Saturday 18 September 2027. Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm ET.
Fiji Rugby Union Director Koli Sewabu explained that the battle between Fiji and South Africa will offer valuable preparation of high performance before Australia tournament.
“Fiji Rugby is delighted to confirm this historic test match against the Springboks, one of the most respected and successful teams in world rugby,” Sewabu said.
“The Springboks have set the benchmark in world rugby and our players relish every opportunity to test themselves against the best.
“This game is more than a rugby match. It’s about inspiring our people, engaging our global Fijian community and continuing to showcase the unique style, spirit and talent that Fiji brings to the world game.”
“We know there is a strong Fijian community across Australia and we look forward to seeing our supporters out in force to support the Flying Fijians in Gosford,” he said.
Current Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said the pre-tournament game would be the perfect challenge heading into the tournament in Australia.
“Fiji is a quality team that has consistently tested some of the best teams in the world over the last few years,” Erasmus said in September.
“They proved they can be a force to be reckoned with by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it will certainly be a big test for our national team ahead of the international spectacle in Australia.”
White will be tasked with helping to oversee Fiji’s high-performance structure and selection planning, with responsibility for pathways from Fiji U20 and Fijian Drua programs.
In a job advertisement in August, Fiji said they were looking for a head coach to lead “one of the most talented teams in World Rugby”.
“The Fiji Rugby Union invites applications for the position of Head Coach, Flying Fijians, Fiji Men’s XV National Team,” the advertisement states.
“This is an opportunity to lead one of the world’s most talented rugby teams through the run up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup and to establish the Flying Fijians as a consistent contender among the game’s leading nations.”
