Jake White makes shock World Cup return
South Africa's 2007 World Cup winning head coach Jake White has been appointed coach of Fiji less than a year out from the next World Cup in Australia.
White had been most recently serving as director of rugby with the Bulls, having guided them to three URC Grand Finals in four seasons, losing all three. He parted company with the franchise after the 2024-25 final defeat to Leinster.
The South African replaced interim coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who stepped into the role for six months in the wake of Australian Mick Byrne's abrupt departure last April.
"I'd like to say we want to have the best-prepared group of players ever to go to a World Cup. That'll be our challenge," White said.
"The theory for me is we want Fiji to play like Fiji, but just give them a little bit more structure, a little bit more formation."
Fiji performed creditably at the 2023 World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals for the third time in their history after a 22-15 pool stage victory over Eddie Jones's Australian side. They were subsequently beaten 30-24 by England in the quarter-final.
White guided the Springboks to their second Web Ellis Cup triumph in France in 2007, beating England 15-6 in the decider.
Fiji, tenth on the world rankings, has been drawn with Argentina, Canada and Spain in Pool C of next year’s World Cup.
