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Springboks rugby coach Peter de Villiers has insinuated that former All Blacks prop Craig Dowd had racial motivations when he described him as a "puppet" this week.
In an explosive response yesterday, de Villiers said Dowd was "quite stupid" to make the comment which has prompted the South African Rugby Union to demand an apology.
In an interview with Newstalk ZB on Wednesday, Dowd questioned the credentials of the first black Springboks coach and suggested he was a figurehead.
"While the Springboks have some good staff, de Villiers is merely a puppet," Dowd said.
De Villiers was clearly riled by the unprovoked remark.
"I don't know what's his agenda, if it is racism or not," de Villiers said.
"In South Africa it's a big thing, racism. But in other countries like here and Australia, it's big too. Really big, you know. I don't know, you can ask him that."
De Villiers, 51, was a surprise appointment by a majority board vote six months ago to replace World Cup winning coach Jake White.
Unlike his chief rival for the role, last year's champion Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer, de Villiers has never coached at Super rugby level. His main achievement was leading the South African under-21 team to the world championship title in 2005.
Upon announcing his appointment in January, SARU president Oregan Hoskins essentially stated the appointment was a political one.
"We have made the appointment and taken into account the issue of transformation when we made it. I don't think that tarnishes Peter, I'm just being honest with our country."
De Villiers made it clear from the outset that race would be irrelevant in his player selection process.
SA Rugby chairman Mpumelelo Tshume released a statement noting "with shock and disgust" Dowd's description.
"Mr Dowd's comments are not only deeply and personally offensive to Peter de Villiers and SARU but also comically ill-informed on the affairs of South African rugby," Tshume said.
"We trust he will show rather better judgment in having the good grace to apologise to Peter de Villiers and to the South African rugby communityfor the profound offence and hurt he has caused."
South African Honorary Consul Gregory Fortuin also called on Dowd to apologise.
Fortuin said he had respect for Dowd's achievements in a 60-test career but found his comments "offensive".
De Villiers has been an upbeat character on his first tour to New Zealand, however, the Dowd comments elicited a more serious side to his character.
"I don't know him. The closest I got to him was my TV in my sitting room," de Villiers said.
"I don't know if he ever saw me, or ever knew me. [It is] quite stupid to make a call like that."
South African management clearly didn't want the issue to be pursued at a press conference yesterday, at the end of a week where the All Blacks and Springboks have fired verbal barbs at each other ahead of the second Tri-Nations test at Carisbrook today.
Manager Andy Marinos would only offer: "A statement went out from SA Rugby yesterday and that's where we're leaving it."
- NZPA
