Southern Kings' rugby captain Luke Watson.
He was recorded, without his knowledge, saying that the problem with South African rugby was that it was run by "Dutchmen", the Beeld reported.
"I'm very sorry I said that. It's one of the things in my life that I most regret," he told Sports Talk in a radio interview on Monday.
"There comes a time when you need to raise your hand and say 'sorry, I messed up'. It touches me deeply that so many people still support me," Watson said.
"However, I can't go from door to door to tell every South African I'm sorry. It's important for me to go through life with integrity. I want it to be the legacy of my family and my life.
"I do think that at the time, the media twisted my words unfairly. They benefit from sensation," he said.
Watson left South Africa in 2009 for the English club Bath, but after a few successful seasons he joined Eastern Province in 2011. – Sapa