Just as he transformed the Springboks from Tri Nations wooden spooners to all-conquering world champions, Jake White believes he can return the Brumbies to their Super Rugby glory days.

The Brumbies on Wednesday ended weeks of speculation when they formally enlisted White with the responsibility of replicating his instant success with South Africa at the home of Australia's struggling two-times Super champions.

White will join the Brumbies in 2012 on a four-year deal and says the history of player power in Canberra that led to the sacking of two of the franchise's past three coaches was the least of his concerns.

"When I took over the Springboks, everyone said I was crazy because the job was known as a poisoned chalice," White told AAP from South Africa on Wednesday night.

"But whatever coaching job you take, whatever problems there are come with the territory.

"The bottom line is, fans want results, fans want to support teams that are winning and all we can do is do what's best.

"So we'll do whatever we have to do to make sure the Brumbies are winning - and hopefully we're doing that sooner rather than later."

The Springboks were a basket case having crashed out of the 2003 World Cup quarter-finals when White took charge.

The following year they won the Tri Nations and then came the World Cup in 2007.

Now the 48-year-old has the onerous task of reviving the Brumbies, who haven't made the Super finals since winning the title in 2004 and currently languish in 10th spot with just two wins from eight starts.

White will arrive in July at a franchise that fired David Nucifora in 2004 and Andy Friend earlier this year because of player revolts.

"He is his own man and he comes with a very different set of experiences to the coaches we have had in recent years," Brumbies boss Andrew Fagan said.

White, a two-time world coach of the year who boasts no Super coaching experience, admitted one of his biggest challenges would be getting to know his charges.

"But the exciting thing is I don't have any preconceived ideas," he said.

"So everyone will be judged evenly and fairly and we'll do really well."

White will link with the Brumbies just as Wallabies stars Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper - and quite possibly Australian captain Rocky Elsom - are heading for the exit gates.

He will try to convince Elsom to stay and is also hoping the Brumbies can lure gifted young playmaker James O'Connor from the Western Force, but said he wouldn't slit his wrists if neither were in the national capital in 2012.

"I'd love to keep all the Wallabies. You can't afford to lose those calibre of players," White said.

"But it's all about timing so the next cycle starts and we've just got to make sure we get the next cycle going."

Just as he drafted in Eddie Jones to assist him at the 2007 World Cup in France, White is looking forward to having the Brumbies' 2001 title-winning coach on a consultancy role with his old franchise.

"Having a guy like Eddie as a friend and not to use that knowledge and intellectual property would be silly of me," he said.

White also plans to lean on Brumbies legends Stephen Larkham and George Gregan for support.

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