WHITE'S BOK FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE

The future of Springbok coach Jake White hangs in the balance after it was revealed that he has received numerous offers to coach abroad.

A scheduled press conference by SA Rugby for Friday was cancelled at the 11th hour. It had been speculated that it would have been an announcement of White's contract extension to until the Lions tour of 2009.

However SA Rugby manager of the national team Andy Marinos refuted claims that the national body had come to a decision over WhiteÆs contract but was able to confirm that it was an item on the agenda at ThursdayÆs SA Rugby Board meeting in Cape Town.

"JakeÆs contract was an item on the agenda in yesterday's meeting but it is the President's Council that makes the decision according to the constitution. The matter will be referred to the President's Council in due course. We have been in discussions about extending Jake's contract and it is a case of forward thinking about management and keeping the current core players for 2009," Marinos said.

Marinos, though, did state that White was free to consider other offers and the final decision was ultimately up to White to make.

"We canÆt prohibit him from exploring other avenues as a professional and the decision as to whether he will stay or not is one he has to make himself," Marinos said.

White tried to sidestep the issue of his contract, but admitted that he had received offers from abroad. However, he said his loyalties were with the Springbok team, at the moment.

"There have been negotiations going forward with SA Rugby but there are opportunities for me abroad. My loyalties lie with the Springboks. I donÆt know what the press conference was about and my focus at the moment is on the French Test," he said.

In all likelihood White may have won the favour of the Board as their recommendation to the PresidentÆs Council will guide the Council on whether to continue with White until 2009.

"Discussions were only brought to us some time in March. It has been a process and there is nothing we can decide outright. The Board cannot make a decision and has to go to the PresidentÆs Council and put recommendations forward," said Marinos.

Springbok captain John Smit stated that his team was happy with White at the helm. But he added there was no imminent player revolt if White's contract was not to be extended beyond 2007.

"We are very happy with Jake and I know of no players saying that they will not renew their contracts if Jake's contract is not renewed. I try and keep away from the board room circus," Smit said.

It was inevitable that White would get offers from abroad as he has mentored the Springboks with distinction taking them from the sixth place on the IRB rankings to second in the process winning the Tri- Nations and maintaining a 13 match unbeaten run at home over to years.