Jake White has confirmed that he is to leave his post as coach of the South Africa rugby team in early December.
On Monday, South Africa Rugby said the World Cup-winning coach had failed to reapply for for his job and started the search for his replacement.
"The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on 1 December will be my last as Springbok coach," the 43-year-old said in a statement.
"I walk away with no regrets, but with plenty of sadness."
SA Rugby have already drawn up a shortlist of four possible replacements.
"I did ask for time to consider my options as I was mindful of making a wrong decision based on emotion"
But White, whose contract expires on 31 December, said he was angry at the way the governing body had acted.
"I am extremely disappointed at the manner in which the message of my supposed unavailability was conveyed to the public on Monday in a South African Rugby Union media release that stated I would not be considered for the job on the basis that I did not apply," he said.
"My contract as Springbok coach is clear that I was not obliged to apply and that all considerations would be discussed at my annual review.
"I did ask for time to consider my options as I was mindful of making a wrong decision based on emotion. This time was not afforded me and that is particularly disappointing.
"It was the greatest honour to coach the Boks and no one can ever take away the memory of those four years."
White's final games will be against Wales on 24 November and the Barbarians a week later.
The four candidates to replace White as Springboks boss will not be announced until they have been informed they have made the shortlist.
But those thought to be under consideration are Chester Williams, a 1995 World Cup winner, Springbok backs coach Allister Coetzee and Pieter de Villiers, the national Under-21 and Emerging Springboks coach, and Blue Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer.
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White, meanwhile, has expressed an interest in coaching England, who are currently led by Brian Ashton, should the position become available.
Ashton's rolling contract runs until the end of this year, and his future will not be decided until a thorough review of England's World Cup campaign has been undertaken.
On Sunday White told the BBC: "England is probably one job most international coaches wouldn't mind taking because it's a power that can become a huge force.
"I would really like to stay in international rugby. Once it's in your blood, it's in your blood."
White has also held preliminary talks with Wales about their vacant head coach's job after the departure of Gareth Jenkins, while Australia are looking for a new coach to replace John Connelly.
White took charge of the Boks in 2004 and oversaw a stunning transformation in their fortunes, leading them to the Tri-Nations title that year.
He nearly lost his job after defeat by England in 2006 but their revival culminated in the 15-6 win over England in the World Cup final nine days ago.
Throughout his time in charge White has had to deal with the political pressures connected with the on-going transformation debate, which concerns how to develop a side with more non-white players in the team.
In a country where the white population makes up just under 10% of the population the XV which started the World Cup final contained two non-white players.
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