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Rugby Union

Players hail departing White

21/11/2007

Winger Bryan Habana and captain John Smit have led the tributes to out-going South Africa coach Jake White ahead of his penultimate match in charge.

South Africa will play Wales on Saturday before taking on the Barbarians the week after and the players believe his influence will be sorely missed.

Habana says White deserves a great deal of credit for turning the side into World Champions and feels two victories in his final games in charge would be a fitting tribute.

The winger said: "He has taken us on an unbelievable journey.

"Jake brought us back from the depths of despair in 2003 and put a few traditions back into place.

"He has left the Springbok team in a better state than he received it."

Smit, now plying his trade in France with Clermont Auvergne, said White had instilled both structure and belief in the players, adding that he would miss working with the coach.

He said: "From the start, we really felt he was bringing structure and an ability for us to turn things around and take the Springboks to where they belong.

"It is a sad moment now, having come to the end of the road."

White has had to make a number of changes to the side that started the World Cup final due to retirements and will give a debut to number eight Ryan Kankowski.

Andre Pretorius and Ricky Januarie start together at half-back for the first time while an injury to Percy Montgomery means Ruan Pienaar will start at fullback.

South Africa squad:

Backs: Ruan Pienaar; JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana; Andre Pretorius, Ricky Januarie; Ryan Kankowski.
Forwards: Juan Smith, Schalk Burger; Johann Muller, Bakkies Botha; Jannie Du Plessis, John Smit (capt), CJ van der Linde.
Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Heinke van der Merwe, Albert van den Berg, Hilton Lobberts, Wynand Olivier, Conrad Jantjes, Akona Ndungane