Springboks coach Peter de Villiers on Thursday suggested his team have been victims of a conspiracy to assist the All Blacks ahead of next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
As South African officials took issue with what they claimed were adverse refereeing and judicial rulings, De Villiers went further, insinuating the All Blacks were aided by referees in the Tri-Nations to help swell Kiwi World Cup excitement.
The Springboks crashed to back-to-back defeats against the All Blacks in New Zealand this month and face the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
“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 said on Australian television.
The Springboks are bemused as to why northern hemisphere referees have officiated in their opening two Tests, which New Zealand won comfortably after South Africa had players sin-binned early in both matches.
Unhappy campers
Lock Bakkies Botha was also suspended for the entire Tri-Nations tournament for headbutting scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan in the 32-12 loss in Auckland, while winger Jean de Villiers was banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Rene Ranger in the 31-17 Wellington defeat.
De Villiers was particularly unhappy about the way Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland controlled the breakdown in both matches.
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw stayed on the field despite being warned and penalised several times by Rolland, and in response, de Villiers said his team might have to cheat to compete.
De Villiers has subsequently refined his comments to say they should be more “street smart” against the Wallabies at Lang Park.
He has the support of the South African Rugby Union, with Saru president Oregan Hoskins instructing their Sanzar legal representative, Judge Lex Mpati, to address what they see as inconsistent rulings against the Springboks.
“A number of stakeholders have complained to me about the lack of consistency in the rulings of the judicial officials in rugby,” Hoskins told South African newspapers.
“I have stressed to Judge Mpati the seriousness of the matter.
“I don’t want to say too much further, as previously I have spoken about the issue in the media and nothing has been done about it.”
South Africa face another Irish referee on Saturday when George Clancy will officiate in their must-win clash in Brisbane, where they have not triumphed in the post-apartheid era. — AFP