The saga surrounding Springbok rugby coach Peter de Villiers and fullback Francois Steyn took another turn on Saturday when the South African Rugby Union defended the embattled coach.
In a statement explaining De Villiers’ non appearance at a meeting with Steyn and his French club Racing Metro, Saru said the club was informed the meeting had to be postponed.
The statement says De Villiers and Andy Marinos, the national team manager, were to visit three European-based rugby clubs during September.
“The visits were scheduled to coincide with an IRB conference, which both De Villiers and Marinos were to attend.
“Visits were also planned to Bath [England], Ulster [Northern Ireland] and Racing Metro [France]. The visit to Paris was planned for Wednesday and Thursday, September 29-30.
“Following the cancellation of the IRB conference, all three clubs were advised the visits would be postponed. Ulster and Bath acknowledged the advice, Racing Metro did not. Several Racing personnel — including coach Pierre Berbizier — were included in the advisory email.
“Saru did not contact any of the players directly as the appropriate protocol is to communicate through a player’s club,” the statement concluded.
The statement did not say if meetings would be rescheduled. – Sapa