Springbok coach Jake White was on Tuesday cleared by the South African Rugby Union (Saru) of breaching its code of conduct, following a row with a journalist in a Johannesburg pub.
Christo Ferreira, Saru’s lawyer, investigated allegations that the argument over a tabloid newspaper’s coverage of the Springbok team had led to the journalist being assaulted by another pub patron.
During a private media function last week at the News Café in Johannesburg, a Son newspaper reporter was assaulted. Earlier in the evening, the reporter, Adnaan Mohamed, had been involved in a argument with White. The alleged assault took place after White had left the function.
”The conduct of White did not constitute any breaches of the code of conduct,” Saru said in a statement.
Mohamed has laid a complaint of assault with police in Johannesburg against Collin Francke, one-time masseur for Mamelodi Sundowns, for allegedly attacking him in a toilet at the News Café.
The Springboks play Australia in the opening match of the Tri-Nations competition in Cape Town on Saturday. — Sapa, Reuters