Fiji Rugby turn to Jake White to lead 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign

Fiji have appointed former Springboks head coach Jake White on a short-term deal to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

White, who coached the Under-21 Springbok side to victory in the Under-21 World Cup in 2002, will replace interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who took over from Mick Byrne, who departed the role in April.

The South African-born former Springboks head coach will lead the Flying Fijians into their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign in Australia, looking to replicate or better the side’s quarter-final berth in the 2023 France competition.

The 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning head coach pipped former Wales boss Warren Gatland for the exciting role, which had over 30 applicants.

The head coaching role was advertised in late August following the union’s decision to part ways with Byrne in April 2026.

White and the Flying Fijians will take on the head coach’s former side ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia, labelled as “Contest on the Coast,”  which will be played at Polytec Stadium in Gosford on Saturday, 18 September 2027. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 pm AEST.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu explained that the battle between Fiji and South Africa will offer valuable high-performance preparation prior to the 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 very best.

“This fixture is about more than a rugby match. It is 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 turn out in force to support the Flying Fijians in Gosford,” he said.

Current Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus said the pre-tournament fixture will be a perfect challenge heading into the marquee tournament in Australia.

“Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top teams in the world over the last few years,” Erasmus said in September.

“They proved that they can be a force to be reckoned with by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it’s certainly going to be a great test for our team before the international spectacle in Australia.”

White will be tasked with helping oversee Fiji’s high-performance structure and selection planning, carrying responsibility for the pathways with the Fiji U20 and Fijian Drua programmes.

In the August job advertisement, Fiji said they were looking for a head coach to lead “one of World Rugby’s most talented teams”.

“The Fiji Rugby Union invites applications for the position of Head Coach, Flying Fijians, Fiji’s national men’s XV team,” the advertisement stated.

“This is an opportunity to lead one of world rugby’s most talented national teams through the period to Rugby World Cup 2027 and to establish the Flying Fijians as a consistent competitor among the game’s leading nations.”