[2] James retired at the end of 2013 and joined the Varsity Shield side UKZN Impi as backline and kicking coach.
James was born on 8 January 1979 in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa and was schooled at Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
It was announced on 9 July 2007 that he had signed a two-year contract with Bath Rugby though he continues to be eligible to play for the Springboks.
Following the completion of the 2001 Super 12 season, James was included in the Springboks squad and made his debut for South Africa at fly-half in a 32–23 loss to France at Ellis Park.
In the following Test, also against France, he contributed five penalty goals in the 20–15 victory in Durban, but was later cited and suspended, missing South Africa's next match, against Italy.
He returned for the 2001 Tri Nations Series and started at fly-half in every game, though South Africa only managed to win the one match – 20–15 against Australia in Pretoria.
James made an impact in the first half, though one of his cross-field kicks was intercepted and led to a Mark Gerrard try.
In the final, against England, his composure and ability to nullify the impact of his opposite number, Jonny Wilkinson, helped South Africa to a 15–6 win.