South African coach Jake White has signed a pre-­contract to extend his stay with Top 14 side Montpellier until 2017, sources close to the club confirmed Monday.

White was brought in to replace Fabien Galthie who was suspended on December 29 after a string of defeats.

Montpellier are seventh in the Top 14, one point off sixth spot, the cutoff for the six-team playoffs, with just five games left.

White has won three matches, lost three and drawn one since arriving in southern France.