White takes the stand
24 May 2006
Springbok coach Jake White was the first witness to testify at Brian van Rooyen’s disciplinary inquiry on Wednesday.
Former rugby boss van Rooyen remained absent from the inquiry into corporate mismanagement allegations against him when the hearing started its second day in Bloemfontein, Sapa reported.
The hearing is taking place behind closed doors. Others expected to testify are former SA Rugby Union (Saru) deputy president Andre Markgraaff and former chairman of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd board Theunie Lategan.
Saru CEO Johan Prinsloo, public relations consultant Ann-Lee Murray and SA Rugby manager for legal services Christo Ferreira were also expected to testify.
The inquiry is scheduled to last until Friday. It comes after Van Rooyen was found guilty of corporate mismanagement during an internal investigation by Saru and a wider investigation was ordered under the adjudication of former Chief Justice Joos Hefer.
15 Comments
24 May 2006, 13:41 pm
First Comment
24 May 2006, 13:45 pm
Boring!!!!!
24 May 2006, 13:49 pm
Slow day?
24 May 2006, 13:49 pm
This should be a walk in the park for Jake White………..he’s great at bullshitting and lying with a straight face, or maybe he’s just honestly believes his own lies.
One of those okes that could pass a lie detector tests even when he’s guilty.
24 May 2006, 13:49 pm
Must be a very slow day.
24 May 2006, 13:50 pm
Van Rooyen should be banned from all sports management.
Enough said.
Boring Topic
24 May 2006, 13:54 pm
Jake White’s Bok diary
Wed, 24 May 2006
In the spirit of award-winning investigative journalism that this column strives to uphold, iafrica.com gives you a first-ever look at the weekly diary of Springbok coach Jake White, from deep inside the training camp in Bloemfontein.
Wednesday 17 May: Back in camp! Probably my favourite day of the year — everyone gets together, we all get new kit, and I’m in charge. Before the squad used to train at Plett, but ever since Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck got too sunburnt to train after a day at the beach, we’ve had to come somewhere more sensible. And it’s not like the guys can’t do a little tanning if they want to — Monty’s always happy to let anyone use his portable sun bed when he’s not using it (which admittedly isn’t very often, but the gesture is there nonetheless). Noticed a little tension between the Stormers and the Sharks, but probably just first day jitters.
Thursday 18 May: Don’t take this the wrong way, but Wynand Olivier is gorgeous! Peter Schultz, his agent, had said as much when he took me out to dinner and suggested picking him, but I didn’t realise just how good looking the kid is. I’m not sure about his rugby — I haven’t actually seen him play, to be honest — but he’s going to look stunning in the team photos. Not everyone seems too happy, though — Big Joe told me at breakfast that he thought Wynand was actually rather plain, and that anyway, he’d done far more modelling shoots than Wynand. Showed Big Joe the photo of Wynand I have in my wallet to prove that he is a good looking guy; Big Joe just walked off. I think something’s bothering him.
Friday 19 May: Terrible day at practice. First AJ accidentally caught Schalk with a right hook, then John slipped and headbutted De Wet during warm-up, and finally Butch jumped on Jean’s foot in the gym. Seems the Sharks are still really upset at the Stormers losing to the Bulls and costing them a semifinal; had to sit them all down, and explain that they mustn’t blame the Stormers in the Springbok squad. Everyone knows that the Stormers lost because of Schalk Brits and Luke Watson, which is why they’re not in Bloemfontein with the rest of us. Think it’s all settled now — it’s very important not to hold grudges against players.
Saturday 20 May: Stormers and Sharks seemed a lot happier today, but I’m not. In the course of one contact session, Lawrence fell on top of Andre Pretorius, BJ Botha, Butch, Jaco and Monty, and split three pairs of shorts in the process, before bursting into tears and going back to the hotel. Plus Bakkies and Bryan injured in the semifinal — at this rate I’ll be playing in the side against the World XV.
Sunday 21 May: Gave the players the day off today to explore Bloemfontein, which I think they were looking forward to, while I spent some time looking at other guys I can bring into the squad. Andre Snyman, Breyton Paulse and Danie Coetzee were inspired selections (Danie sent me a lovely bottle of rare malt to thank me for the call-up, which was a very thoughtful touch). Cobus Visagie is still playing in Europe, and I think Braam van Straaten might be around somewhere. Trevor Halsted has been playing great rugby for Munster as well. Must ask Danie if he has any suggestions.
Monday 22 May: Woken up at three this morning — by Brian van Rooyen! Hadn’t heard from him in ages, so a bit of a surprise, especially as it was so early (as always, John slept right through everything — once my room-mate is asleep, nothing will wake him). Apparently he’s under investigation by SA Rugby, but is trying to avoid it, as it’s all a conspiracy against him. Wanted to know if he could spend a few nights in my spare room, and maybe borrow a little money, just until everything blows over, and his new passport comes through from Lagos. A bit hard to hear him, as he was speaking in a whisper; I said that he could stay for a day or two, but that would be it. Very strange man.
Tuesday 23 May: 16 fit players at the moment, although only 15 training — safer to keep Lawrence away from the team, so he’s been appointed Executive Director of Team Movement Operations. Essentially, it means he guards the team bus during training, but he likes the title, and as long as we give him plenty of pizza, he’s happy. And we need someone to look after the bus, given that all of the security guards are on strike at the moment. I wonder if Joost is striking in sympathy?
24 May 2006, 14:00 pm
LOL JAke
24 May 2006, 15:59 pm
SA Rugby LMFAO its like a circus, the National coach is a week away from his Openning test and hes in Hi court LMFAO.
24 May 2006, 16:38 pm
Objection!
24 May 2006, 16:42 pm
Well doen Jake_white. At least someones got a sense of humour. Mine failed recently. I WONDER WHY????? Surely I’m not the only one.
24 May 2006, 17:44 pm
lol @ jake
thats probably the best read on the site today
24 May 2006, 18:12 pm
Dan Nicholl – the pseudo aussie , but born in Rhodesia – are you the scribe in this matter . Not to worry mate , I enjoy your sense of humour on all your 567MW Cape Talk sports shows .
24 May 2006, 21:23 pm
Jake – good post – makes the day brighter
25 May 2006, 15:04 pm
awesome post!!
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