Whilst 2007’s Rugby World Cup win will never match the sheer joy of the 1995 win, Jake White can rest easy in the knowledge that he will forever be a legend in the eyes of most Springbok supporters.

Now that he’s cut ties with SA Rugby, he’s been pretty outspoken on a number of issues – most controversially the issue of transformation. He’s back in the news again, although this time it’s the words of Eddie Jones, his assistant coach at the 2007 World Cup, that have grabbed headlines, rather than his own.

During an interview ahead of England’s end of year test match itinerary, Jones spoke about how close White came to being sacked in the build-up to the 2007 event.

Times LIVE below:

In 2007 the Springboks were “getting pumped every game”, said Jones.

“Jake White gets told he’s going to be sacked, is called home and he’s like the schoolboy outside the principal’s office.

“A certain bloke with a lot of money sends a fax to the [SA Rugby] offices saying ‘you sack him and you lose all your sponsorship’, so Jake gets a reprieve,” said Jones.

Jones did not identify the mystery man, but it’s now history that the Boks went on to win the World Cup, beating England in the final.

Hmm, who might this rich bloke be? I’m not sure, but given that we went on to win the tournament, I’d say a thank you is in order.

England will face the Boks on November 3, followed by the All Blacks, Japan and the Wallabies.

Don’t underestimate the Japanese, Eddie. Then again, given that he was their coach when they humbled the Springboks, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Jake White has yet to publicly respond to Eddie’s comments, but last week he did heap praise on Rassie Erasmus in a column for All Out Rugby:

We might not have all the stats that people would like to see, but it’s obvious that South Africa has turned a corner, in their performances and psychologically, and that will make other teams very wary of the Boks…

One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but I agree with the New Zealand and English media when they say the Boks are the real deal. Don’t underestimate the impact that positive media has on our players, and what it does to our rivals who have to read that…

I think Rassie has ticked enough boxes in the last six months to warrant what some of the most respected rugby people are now saying about the Boks and you have to give him credit for that.

Everyone understands that the 2019 RWC opener against New Zealand is almost like a knockout game. But what’s changed over the past six months is that the showdown is now looking like a genuine contest – the result is no longer a foregone conclusion. And what’s nice is that view isn’t coming from within the Bok camp, outside voices are saying it about South Africa.

Whether people like it or not, it’s not debateable – the jewel in the rugby crown is the World Cup. The champions get four years’ bragging rights and one thing Rassie has continually said is that his plan is to make sure the team is ready for 2019.

He knows the first game against New Zealand is the one he has to be ready for and, if you measure what he’s done this year, there’s enough there to say the Boks are on track.

I suppose one plus to playing the All Blacks in the group stage is that you wouldn’t face them again until the final.

But hey, one match at a time.

[sources:timeslive&alloutrugby]