Springbok coach Peter de Villiers faces a misconduct charge following his outburst suggesting a conspiracy theory to help the All Blacks ahead of next year’s World Cup.
A Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia rugby) judicial officer will conduct a hearing in the next week, the governing body for the Tri-Nations southern hemisphere rugby championship said on Friday.
De Villiers raised the conspiracy theory following the Springboks’ back-to-back hidings by the All Blacks in the opening two matches of this year’s championship.
He suggested the All Blacks were being assisted to help swell interest in the 2011 World Cup to be played in New Zealand.
“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,” he told a television rugby programme in Australia on July 21.
Sanzar raised the issue with SA Rugby the following day, who in turn discussed the matter with De Villiers on his return to South Africa after the Springboks were beaten by Australia in last weekend’s Tri-Nations match.
Following South Africa Rugby’s response to Sanzar, it was decided further consideration was warranted, Sanzar chief executive Steve Tew said.
“Having considered the response from South Africa, we have determined that Peter de Villiers’s comments may constitute a breach of the Sanzar code of conduct and warrant further consideration by a Sanzar judicial officer.” — AFP