White steered the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup crown in 2007 © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: John Steele | Jake White

Teams: England | South Africa

Former Springboks coach Jake White has confirmed his interest in the newly created role of performance director at the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

White, who steered South Africa to the Rugby World Cup crown in 2007, has been linked with the post since RFU chief executive John Steele revealed his plans to re-structure English rugby's governing body last week. He is likely to face stiff competition with the likes of former England coach Sir Clive Woodward and USA Rugby chief executive Nigel Melville among those also reportedly in the running.

"I haven't been approached by anybody [as yet] but would I consider it? Well of course I would. It's a fantastic job," he told Sport 24.

The director would be responsible for rugby at all levels of the game, including the senior side, and White insists he would have no problem working alongside England manager Martin Johnson.

"I wouldn't see it as being somebody's boss," he said. "I'd really love a role like that, to impart the knowledge that I've picked up from winning with the seniors and juniors and being involved in developing the game in South Africa for the last 25 to 30 years. It'd be fantastic to be involved with a country like England. To do the best you can to make England stronger.

"I've always made it clear that England is the one country that I feel is very similar to the South African model. They've got a lot of players, ethos and passion in the game and one of the best records at World Cups as they've been in three out of six finals.

"I was involved with an amazing group of young talented players of whom many are now the incumbents in the Springbok side. One thing I could offer England is making sure that if there are foreign players at senior level now, then that in the next four years in the younger levels of England rugby come 2015, England are dominant once again in world rugby."

The RFU are set to cast the net wide to find the right person for the job - as well as the other new director roles focusing on operations and development. "We are not necessarily looking for a proven international rugby coach although, clearly, if there is one with all the right skills, that would be terrific," Steele told the Daily Telegraph. "But we want to cast the net widely and hope that others might apply. Ours will be a worldwide and multi-sport search and a completely open process. There is no pre-agreed plan to bring people back into Twickenham."

The RFU have also stressed that the development of this new structure will take six to nine months to put in place and in the interim those applying for roles will stay in their current positions. As a result, current director of elite rugby Rob Andrew will continue with his responsibilities despite losing his post in the shake-up.

In related news, Northampton boss Jim Mallinder has ruled himself out of contention for the role of performance director with his eyes set on the England manager post. "I am very honoured to have my name brought up [for the new performance director position] but I am very happy with the job I am doing with the Saints and I am hoping to deliver some silverware for the club," he told the Daily Telegraph. "You always have to aspire to be the best coach you possibly can but I think that [becoming England manager] is quite a long way down the track and winning some silverware with the Saints is my priority."