News24 | Jake White named Fiji head coach ahead of 2027 Rugby World Cup

Jake White will take Fiji to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Mark Scates - SNS Group/Getty Images

• Renowned South African coach Jake White has been appointed head coach of the Fiji national rugby team.
• White brings a World Cup-winning pedigree - he guided the Springboks to the 2007 world title - along with coaching experience at the Brumbies, Sharks, Montpellier, Toyota Verblitz and the Bulls.
• His first assignment is a Test against Japan in Tokyo on 24 October, followed by Nations Championship matches in Europe, while Fiji will also tackle the Springboks in Australia next year.
• For more rugby news, visit our dedicated section.

Former Springbok and Bulls mentor Jake White has been appointed as the new head coach of the Fiji national rugby team.

White, 62, has been tasked to take Fiji to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia where they will aim to build on their impressive showing at the 2023 event in France when they made the quarter-finals, before narrowly losing 30-24 to England.

“A proven winner on rugby’s biggest stage, White brings international pedigree, championship-winning experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to build a team capable of competing against the world’s best,” the Fiji Rugby Union said in a statement.

White will bring vast experience to the Flying Fijians. He won the Rugby World Cup with the Springboks in 2007 and has one of the most impressive coaching résumés in world rugby.

White’s previous coaching experience includes the Junior Springboks, Brumbies, Sharks, Tonga (technical advisor), Montpellier, Toyota Verblitz and most recently the Bulls.

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White’s first assignment will be a Test against Japan in Tokyo on 24 October 2026 - a significant occasion that will mark 100 years of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

The Flying Fijians will then travel to Europe in November for the Nations Championship where they will tackle France, Ireland and Italy and a play-off match in London.

“Today marks an important new chapter in the history of Fiji Rugby. In appointing Jake White, we are bringing a Rugby World Cup-winning coach into a nation where rugby is more than a sport, it is part of who we are,” said John Sanday, chairman of Fiji Rugby.

“Fiji has never lacked talent, courage or passion. Our players have demonstrated time and again that they can compete with the very best in the world. Our responsibility now is to create the leadership, structure, discipline and high-performance environment that will allow that talent to consistently deliver on the international stage.

“Jake understands what it takes to build a World Cup-winning team. His experience, leadership and championship mentality are exactly the qualities we want to bring into our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2027.

“But this appointment is about more than one coach or one tournament. It is about raising our standards, strengthening our rugby foundations and creating a legacy that future generations of Fijian players can build upon.”

White said it was an “incredible honour” to be named Fiji head coach.

“Fiji holds a special place in world rugby. There are very few nations where the game means so much to its people, and where the players bring such extraordinary natural ability, courage and passion to the field.

“Having coached at the highest level, including at a Rugby World Cup, I understand the preparation, discipline, belief and collective commitment required to compete against the best teams in the world.

“What excites me most about Fiji is the potential. This is a nation that has already shown it can challenge the world’s rugby powers. My responsibility is to work with the players, coaches and everyone involved in Fiji Rugby to build on that foundation and turn potential into consistent performances.

“I am not coming to Fiji to change what makes Fijian rugby special. I want to protect that identity, strengthen it and combine it with the structures, discipline and winning habits that will allow these players to express their talents on the biggest stage.”

Jake White after his appointment as new Fiji head coach.

Fiji Rugby Union

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White, whose Springboks survived a scare from Fiji in 2007 World Cup quarter-finals before winning 37-20 in Marseille, said he believed Fiji could mount a serious challenge at next year’s showpiece in Australia.

“Our journey begins immediately with the historic Test against Japan, followed by important challenges against France, Ireland and Italy in November. Every one of those matches will be an opportunity to learn, improve and establish the standards we need heading towards Rugby World Cup 2027.

“I know what winning a Rugby World Cup means to a country. I have seen how it can unite a nation and inspire generations.

“The talent is here. The passion is here. Now we must put in the work to build something truly special,” said White.

As Fiji coach, White will also get a chance to face the Springboks as the two teams will play a World Cup warm-up match in Gosford, Australia on 18 September next year.