Hi °C | Lo °C South Africa coach Jake White is to be forced to reapply for his job ? a day before Saturday's World Cup final against England.
White's future was thrown into doubt before the tournament when the South African Rugby Union insisted that he apply for the top job if he wanted to continue to be in charge after the World Cup.
Should he guide the Springboks to World Cup glory against England at the Stade de France on Saturday night, that future would surely be guaranteed.
But with the revelation today that the closing date for applications is Friday, White hit back in a bizarre twist by suggesting that he would one day love to coach England.
"If my contract doesn't get renewed and England came to me with a proposal to coach them one day, I'd be crazy not to accept it," said White.
"There are a huge amount of similarities between England and South Africa. We have both come through tough times and, apart from these last few weeks, they have really not done well since winning the last World Cup.
"But England have got massive potential, some real stars and plenty of exciting young players coming through. And there is so much desire and passion in English rugby that I'd have to be tempted."
England coach Brian Ashton, meanwhile, is set to be offered a new contract after masterminding England's remarkable upturn in fortunes to reach the final.
The 61-year-old's current deal ends in December but Rugby Football Union chief executive Frances Baron has revealed Ashton will be asked to stay on.
"Brian and director of rugby Rob Andrew will sit down immediately after the World Cup," said Baron.
"Brian has clearly done a great job and I'm sure they will be thrashing it out very quickly."
Former Ireland coach Ashton's new deal is expected to take him to the next World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
Meanwhile, rookie full-back Nick Abendanon arrived in Paris last night as a replacement for the luckless Josh Lewsey, who has been ruled out of Saturday's final with a hamstring injury.
Abendanon, 21, has been called up as insurance in case England should suffer any further injury problems in the back three.
Lewsey's likely replacement in the starting XV would either be Mark Cueto or centre Mathew Tait, who finished the semi-final playing on the wing with Dan Hipkiss at outside centre.
Cueto has struggled with a calf problem in recent weeks but England officials insist the Sale winger is fit for selection.
His inclusion would certainly bolster England's chances against a South African side who will be favourites to land the World Cup - but they are approaching their task with extreme caution.
