SARU denies blackmail rumour

The South Africa Rugby Union on Saturday moved to quash reports of a blackmail attempt to influence coach Peter de Villiers' selection of the Springbok squad.

A report in Saturday's Weekender newspaper claimed De Villiers was the target of a blackmail attempt 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, the South Africa Rugby Union (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.