White's contract with South Africa ends in December

He is out of contract in December and said earlier this month: "When you win the World Cup you've got to go, there is no more you can achieve."

But in the wake of the 15-6 final win over England, he stated: "I must think. I want to coach rugby. I must make a decision in everyone's best interests."

White, 43, has already been linked to Australia, England and Wales.

White's job was advertised two weeks ago, with the coach's proposed departure expected to be followed by the break-up of the team to make way for more black players into what would then be a more representative South African team.

However, after White's triumphant return, the nation's president Thabo Mbeki, who will host the Springboks at an official reception, said: "It would indeed be odd that, in the moment of victory which comes after a period of preparation, you say 'Thank you for your services, White, goodbye'.

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"This team went through the whole tournament undefeated. We end up with player of the year, the coach of the year and the team of the year. Drop the coach - why?"

Such sentiments have been echoed by SA Rugby, which now says it wants to "enhance this group, not destroy it. We must build on what we've attained".

And White, who admitted he and assistant coaches Gert Smal and Allister Coetzee had already begun planning for the November Test against Wales in Cardiff, added: "I need to meet with my bosses and the players.

"The one thing I learnt from Eddie Jones (former Australian coach and the South Africa's technical adviser in France) and Clive Woodward (England's 2003 World Cup-winning coach) is not to make a decision based on emotions."