Jake White appointed Fiji head coach to lead Flying Fijians into 2027 Rugby World Cup

Jake White, the coach who led South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 2007, has been appointed head coach of the Flying Fijians on a deal running to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. White was selected from a field of more than 30 applicants, pipping former Wales head coach Warren Gatland to the position.

White replaces interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who had stepped in after Mick Byrne departed the role in April 2026. The position was formally advertised in late August following the union’s decision to part ways with Byrne.

The South African-born coach will be tasked with matching or improving on Fiji’s quarter-final finish at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France — the benchmark the union is now looking to surpass on Australian soil. Beyond matchday duties, White will also oversee Fiji’s high-performance structure and selection planning, with responsibility extending to the Fiji U20 and Fijian Drua pathways.

In a notable early fixture, White will face his former side when Fiji take on the Springboks in a pre-tournament Test billed as the “Contest on the Coast” at Polytec Stadium in Gosford on 18 September 2027.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu described the appointment and the accompanying Springboks fixture as a statement of intent for the programme. “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. “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.”

Current Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed the challenge, pointing to Fiji’s recent form as evidence of their growing threat. “Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top teams in the world over the last few years,” Erasmus said. “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.”

White also guided the South Africa Under-21 side to the Under-21 World Cup title in 2002, giving him a strong record at both age-grade and senior level with Springbok rugby before his move into club coaching.