South Africa Rugby president Oregan Hoskins has lashed out at SANZAR partners Australia and New Zealand over the disciplinary hearing for controversial Springboks coach Peter de Villiers.
Hoskins labelled the hearing – to be held in Cape Town on Friday – “a declaration of war by Australia and New Zealand against South Africa”, the Cape Argus reports.
The SA rugby boss also vowed to stand behind de Villiers who is under fire over his comments about the refereeing of his misfiring team which has slumped to an 0-3 start in the Tri-Nations series.
De Villiers will front a hearing by SANZAR judicial officer Jannie Lubbe after seemingly implying that Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland favoured the All Blacks during their two wins over the Springboks in New Zealand last month.
“We are right behind Peter and will defend him to the hilt,” Hoskins said.
However, Hoskins also reportedly confirmed that, during a performance review earlier this week, De Villiers had promised to abstain from making any more controversial remarks about referees.
Speaking on Fox Sport’s Rugby Club program in Australia on July 21, De Villiers said: “I’ve got my own observations about the last two Tests, and maybe I can’t say it in public, but we do have a World Cup in New Zealand next year and maybe it was the right thing for them to win the games so they can attract more people to the games next year.”
SA Rugby has issued a statement in an attempt to convince governing body SANZAR that De Villiers had been misunderstood.
“In no manner did I ever suggest that the All Blacks were being favoured – by match officials or anyone else – because their country was hosting the Rugby World Cup next year,” De Villiers was quoted as saying in the statement.
Meanwhile, former Springbok team psychologist Henning Gericke has warned of dysfunction in the team’s leadership.
“The leaders in the team are possibly too soft on one another and the players in the squad,” suggested Gericke on the Sport 24 website.
“What Peter did really well was to empower the players. But it’s a very fine line … Only the squad will know, but it’s quite possible that the balance swung too much to the players.
“Peter will have to show mental toughness and address the issue.”
Winston
Guest
"South Africa did do better than New Zealand at the soccer world" Would they have been there if they weren't hosting it? Seriously credit where credit is due. The fact is ABs win more games than any other team and are the most successful professional sporting team in the world at the moment on win/loss. Which is what it is really about. Otherwise we might as well play rugby once every 4 years,
CHOKER
Guest
No, don't worry buddy, i definately won't let your simple facts get in my way.... next year no-one will be talking about the TN and u know that..... all this hype about NZ being on the verge of greatness (hey, didn't they say that of the Boks last yr??) will be history and all that will matter is the RWC. U can try impress me all day with your stats but do u really think anybody will talk about that when, once again, the AB's gets whipped out of the WC? Yip, u guessed it, the answer is "NO". But hey I understand why u're jumping up and down in your cot right now....after last year's beating by the Boks I too would be acting like u right now, so on buddy, enjoy !! whoopey !!!! Next year it's the big one....and we all know about that now don't we??
Geoff
Guest
As kak as the Lions are, i'm willing to wager a bet they would thrash the "Kings" by no less than 30 points - any takers?
Geoff
Guest
"Corruption is a problem in South Africa and it has reared it’s ugly head in a famous and once respected institution " This is only part of it mate - you guys only get to hear the tip of the iceberg, but according to the Photon's and Choclit_Bear's, your talking tripe! We'll see though, where this all ends.
Photon
Guest
RichieRich Didn't you hear Robbie it's all about the world cup, whilst I mightn't agree with him, the truth is once there's a tournament like that it does trump everything else, and South Africa has been far more successful than New Zealnd at world cups, they've won 2 from 4, whilst the All Blacks have won 1 from 6, there may be many reasons or excuses for that, but these as you so eloquently put it are the FACTS, and by the way South Africa did do better than New Zealand at the soccer world cup, they actually won a game and were one point short of qualifying. Finally Geoff, South Africa doesn't need people like you, you're not compelled to stay, I'm sure you know you way to the immigration offices. For thw rest of us this is the New South Africa, our prospects and our futures are infinetly brighter than thay were in the past. You nobody ever said South Africa was perfect and whilst I don't agree with everything SARU does I do take exception to journalist letting their personal ideas get in the way of balance, what could Greg Growden, possibly know about South African politics other than what a few bitter expats have said.
Lee
Guest
To me this is SARUs biggest mistake... They seem to keen on token gestures to the politicians, as opposed to any real action. Example: PDV is hired as a coach for "not just rugby reasons", i.e. a polticl appointment to appease the muppets in the ANC who are more interested in sports teams than fighting poverty/AIDs. Southern Kings is ignored as a rugby side, when this would have a much greater benefit towards the black South African population as far as rugby is concerned than appointing acoach who is missing a connection between his brain and mouth. The solution should be that the bottom placed SA S14 team played a relegation match with the Southern Kings, if the Kings won then they would be S14 bond next time. Can anyone honestly say that the Southern Kings would have done any worse than the Lions in the S14?
Richierich
Guest
While the team may be respected ABF the SARU in PDV and Hoskins have seriously damaged the reputation of SA rugby. I feel sorry for the South African fans because it is disgraceful and it not only reflects badly on their Union it reflects badly on the entire nation. Corruption is a problem in South Africa and it has reared it's ugly head in a famous and once respected institution and the warning signs were clearly visible in the Justice for Bakkes armband fiasco. I'm from the generation who grew up without SA in the mix and while I respect them and love to see matches between SA and NZ. My utmost respect lies with Australia and the trans tasman rivalries much like Richie and Rocky alluded to it is these matches that get me going. I don't mean this in disrespect at all but given the situation I did not grow up with the SA rivalry like the older generations. SA is and always will be the OLD foe but Australia is the Arch Rival.
allblackfan
Guest
Just to clarify ... South Africa on the field commands the utmost respect from all those who play them, and most of all from their biggest rivals, New Zealand. If you don't respect the team, you will pay the price. Unfortunately, their officials are another story. PDV says too much (their answer to Kevin Sheedy!!); it's time they muzzled him. And if Hoskins wants to start taking pot shots at Aust and NZ then he should get ready to tell the Southern Kings that their preparations for inclusion in a Super 16 competition are in vain!! Exactly why do the Kings think they would be getting a Super team anyway?
Richierich
Guest
South Africa has a big influence financially however this could be put down to the fact that South Africa's population is twice that of New Zealand and Australia combined That being said the rand is barely worth the paper it's written on the world stage. Don't for a second think South Africa would generate the same revenue without either Aus or NZ arguably the biggest and most famous rugby marketing brand in the world. All too quickly many South Africa fans disregard that. The big networks pay the big money because they have a combination of teams from the best three nations on the planet. It's certainly not just because of South Africa. Your about as deluded as PDV and Hoskins.
Richierich
Guest
Another insular comment from a disgruntled South African poster. Just goes to prove my point that you declare dominance by world cups to suit your argument. South Africa has 1 more world cup not a great deal now is it. Tri Nations crowns NZ 9 to SA 3 S12/14 crowns NZ 9 South Africa 3 World 7's Series NZ 8 South Africa one NZ has a winning percentage against All comers including South Africa World Junior Title last 3 in a row I believe. But hey don't let a simple thing like facts get in your way.
Michal
Guest
PDV is a big embarrassment - he just speaks his mind and doesn't think of the consequences. He comes across worse than he is because English isn't his first language. But it's good to hear what he REALLY thinks - all the other coaches talk up the opposition the whole time when they don't mean it. Think how boring it would be if he was just like 'Wallabies, All Blacks' super teams'. By the way, this time last year the AB's were down in the dumps the Boks were king of the heap. This year it's the other way around. With the two top teams in the S14, the Boks'll be back, and the Wallabies can come up too - a lot can happen in a year. Just ask the All Blacks.
CHOKER
Guest
"NZ has more dominance in World rugby than South Africa has ever had"......OH REALLY? Then why can't u win the RWC since u're so DOMINANT? lol! can't wait for the big choke again next year. Face the facts buddy, u're not as DOMINANT as u think, coz when it really counts, u get stage-fright ! shame
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
sorry one more year back i meant. http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25245574-23217,00.html
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
this year for the ARU last year for the NZRU i think
Geoff
Guest
Sometimes (at times like this) I have to drop my head in despair - must I as a Saffer have to be associated with horsesh!te comments like this - WELCOME TO THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA!! I said it before and I'll say it again, we have seen the best that the Springboks could offer.
mattamkII
Guest
can you not write is Pigeon English from now on?
Derm
Roar Guru
I know it was unintentional but SARU having to come out "swining" for PdV is probably closer to the mark. It is rather porcine behaviour.
Choclit_bear
Guest
Nice one Regan we shouldn't have to pander to these Australasians. especially given their clear lack of respect (more so the aussies than the kiwis). The truth of the matter is we are the financial powerhouse keeping the game going in both those countries. When was the last time the ARU or the NZRU actually broke even nevermind had a surplus.
Jimmy
Guest
Wow...the SARU does something and all of a sudden it the "Boers" fault...why is that an acceptable comment when if I said something about white Austrlians or New Zealanders it wouldn't?
Richierich
Guest
Haha very good Suzy