Tri-Nations - SARU deny blackmail plot

Eurosport - Sat, 06 Sep 18:53:00 2008

The South Africa Rugby Union has quashed reports of a blackmail attempt to influence coach Peter de Villiers' selection of the Springbok squad.

RUGBY New South Africa coach Peter de Villiers - 0

A report in the Weekender newspaper claimed De Villiers (pictured) was the target of a blackmail plot involving an official and a player who had threatened to release damaging material about the coach if the player was ever dropped from the Bok squad.

However, SARU issued a statement on Saturday denying the story.

"Peter de Villiers and the South African Rugby Union categorically deny that there have ever been any attempts to blackmail or coerce him over the selection of any player to the national squad, as alleged in a report that appeared in Saturday's Weekender newspaper," the statement said.

"However SARU can confirm that a company employee did approach Mr de Villiers on August 15 in Cape Town. The employee made certain extraordinary claims which SARU has since looked into but has been unable to find any basis to support in fact.

"The employee was advised on August 25 that he would be called to an internal misconduct hearing, the charge sheet for which is still being prepared."

De Villiers has come under pressure recently following South Africa's disappointing performance in the Tri-Nations, although that was lifted somewhat by the 53-8 mauling of Australia in a dead-rubber match in that tournament last weekend.

SportingLife / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 2 of 2

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. The Jake White autobiography opened up a lot of issues­ surrounding this topic. Great country, great people,­ great rugby players; neither the country nor its love­ of this sport need this garbage. You know who you are!

    From STAN, on Mon 8 Sep 5:15AM

  2. Where there is smoke ........ is there a fire? Citing­ 'an official and a player' then after statement­ by SARU it is now 'a company employee' ..... ­ same difference? Sure of at least one player who could­ have threatened de Villiers! Tried shenanigans in­ Jakie White era to force himself into squad. However,­ he did have some good moments on the field recently. ­ Trouble in the troubled hierarcy of SA rugby, will­ never cease unless a leader with backbone and honest­ convictions can be found, appointed and do the right­ thing!

    From Elize, on Sat 6 Sep 4:29PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account