Springboks skipper accused of racial slur

Springboks skipper John Smit allegedly made a racial slur to a Samoan bouncer at a Sydney bar over the weekend, Australian media reported today.

Smit allegedly taunted a Samoan doorman when ordered to leave a busy Kings Cross bar early yesterday morning, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Security staff at Hugo's Lounge yesterday accused Smit of hurling the racial slur while also claiming the South African was intoxicated and "being obnoxious" around 1am.

The Springboks flew into Sydney on Sunday afternoon after their 27-31 loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand the previous day in Dunedin.

They boarded a plane to Johannesburg yesterday hours after the incident.

They were due to arrive in South Africa early today after completing their Tri-Nations campaign.

The South African Rugby Union deputy chief executive Mveleli Ncula said last night an investigation would be launched if a formal complaint was received.

"It is the first time I have heard about it," Ncula told The Daily Telegraph from Cape Town last night.

"We will look into it if we get a formal complaint. It is a surprise, he is normally a very mild person."

Eyewitnesses say Smit was drinking at the establishment with up to eight teammates.

A doorman at Hugo's, Allan Teli, said: "He was bumping into people and I asked him if he would follow me outside. He said no, but I asked him again before he was escorted out."

After Smit was taken to the top of the stairs leading out of the bar, Teli claimed the Springbok was again unwilling to leave.

"I said, 'Sir it's time to go' and that's when he called me a black .... . A number of players dragged him away and they left. But there was no need for that."

Another doorman confirmed Teli's version of events.

The allegations will leave Smit in a vulnerable position to retain the captaincy if an investigation proves the claims.

Administrators in South Africa remain sensitive to any suggestion that racial tensions still simmer in the sport, claiming transformation has been a success and no colour barriers exist.

- NZPA