De Villiers faces censure over conspiracy theories

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

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De Villiers defends head-butting Bakkies Botha Defiant stance by Boks coach Springboks anger at 'cheat' laws Springboks 'are not a dirty side' Springboks take moans to Sanzar De Villiers suggests conspiracy ahead of Cup

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Sanzar officials will investigate comments by Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, who has claimed the All Blacks' recent victories over South Africa were part of a conspiracy aimed at generating support before next year's World Cup tournament.

De Villiers, who has been highly critical of the refereeing at the Auckland and Wellington Tests, said in a television interview that: ''I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and 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.''

Sanzar will be forced to censure de Villiers if they rule the comments brought the game into disrepute.

Last night, Sanzar representatives said the organisation was ''aware of the comments, but there is no official position on them at this stage''.

In a concerted campaign to put pressure on referees, the South African Rugby Union yesterday said it wanted to address what it perceived to be ''bias'' against them by referees and the judicial process.

The Springboks and SARU are upset their second-rower Bakkies Botha was suspended for nine weeks for headbutting All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan in the Auckland test, while winger Jean de Villiers received a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Rene Ranger during the Wellington test.

Botha was also sin-binned in Auckland for a professional foul while second-rower Danie Rossouw received a yellow card in the second match after an altercation with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

SARU president Oregan Hoskins has instructed South Africa's representative on the SANZAR legal committee, Judge Lex Mpati, to ''take up'' the alleged inconsistent rulings against the Springboks.

''I have stressed to Judge Mpati the seriousness of the matter, and he has promised that he will come back to me in writing, hopefully by next week,'' Hoskins said.

- © Fairfax NZ News