De Villiers faces misconduct hearing over referee comment

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has been issued with a misconduct notice over comments he made about referees favouring the All Blacks.

The Springboks were beaten 32-12 and 31-17 by New Zealand in their first two Tri Nations matches and De Villiers suggested before their clash with the Wallabies in Brisbane last week - a game they went on to lose 30-13 - that the All Blacks were being favoured ahead of next year's World Cup.

"I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and I can't say it in public," he said.

"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 later backtracked on the controversial comments, but Sanzar (South Africa New Zealand Australia Rugby) wrote to South Africa Rugby asking them to discuss the issue with their coach and then respond to the governing body.

"Having considered the response from South Africa we have determined that Peter de Villiers' comments may constitute a breach of the Sanzar Code of Conduct and warrant further consideration by a Sanzar judicial officer," said Sanzar chief executive Steve Tew.

"A Sanzar-appointed judicial officer will conduct a hearing in the next week with details to be advised."

De Villiers has had to endure a difficult few days upon his team's return to South Africa after they lost 30-13 to the Wallabies in Brisbane last Saturday.

He met with South Africa Rugby on Thursday to discuss his side's dismal Tri Nations campaign so far, although the organisation's president Oregan Hoskins later said that the coach's job was safe.

South Africa Rugby have also moved to dampen media reports of a rift within the Springboks' management team.