Springboks win apology over Cannon jibes

Getty Images

MUST APOLOGISE: Former Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon.

Getty Images

PETER DE VILLIERS: Insinuated the All Blacks were given a leg-up in the Tri-Nations to help swell Kiwi World Cup excitement.

Relevant offers

International

Lancaster names unchanged England for Italy Jenkins, Lydiate return for Wales against Scots Dmitri Yachvili ruled out of Ireland match Sharpe to retire at end of Super Rugby season John Kirwan interested in Ulster coaching job Italy recall veteran pair to face England Laidlaw replaces Parks as Scottish playmaker Davies guilty; banned for rest of Six Nations Scotland first five Dan Parks hangs up boots Leinster interested in signing Brad Thorn: report

Former Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon is in hot water for branding Springboks coach Peter de Villiers a "clown" and a puppet over his latest outlandish comments.

While Tri Nations governing body Sanzar may censure de Villiers for suggesting South Africa were victims of a World Cup conspiracy in their two losses in New Zealand, Cannon has been forced to apologise for his response.

The 42-Test hooker will issue an on-air apology to the Springboks camp after ridiculing the coach following his extraordinary comments on Fox Sports Rugby Club programme on Wednesday night.

"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," de Villiers said.

A panellist on The Rugby Club, Cannon upset South African officials by belittling de Villiers and suggesting he was a puppet coach.

"I can't believe that senior players like John Smit and Victor Matfield allow themselves to be controlled by this guy," he said.

"He is a clown. He surely does not coach the team."

Springboks spokesperson Anthony Mackaiser yesterday delivered Fox Sports, a Tri Nations broadcast rights holder, an ultimatum they immediately apologise or no longer have on-air access to South African players or management.

A Fox Sports spokesman today confirmed the apology would occur at the start of Saturday night's test coverage at Suncorp Stadium.

"Canno will make a public apology when we open the coverage on Saturday night," he said.

De Villiers, though, remains on thin ice of his own with SANZAR investigating his comments, which have stemmed from his frustrations over refereeing and judicial decisions in New Zealand.

He's been shaking his head at why northern hemisphere referees have controlled the opening two Tests which the All Blacks won comfortably after South Africa had men sin-binned early in both.

Lock Bakkies Botha was also suspended for the entire Tri Nations for headbutting 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 how Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland controlled the breakdown in both matches.

Another Irishman, George Clancy, will control Saturday night's clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane, where the Springboks haven't won since 1971.

- AAP