Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says that his team could have been victims of a conspiracy to boost numbers for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
South African officials feel that they have been given a rough ride by match officials and have elevated their complaints.
De Villiers however has taken the matter further by suggesting that New Zealand were given preferential treatment in the TriNations in order to build excitement for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
"I've got my own observations about the last two Tests, and maybe 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," he told Fox Sports Rugby Club program.
The Springboks have struggled to adapt to the two Northern Hemisphere referees that have controlled their matches so far and things look like they won't be getting any easier as New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence was forced to pull out of this week's TriNations match and was replace by another Irishman George Clancy.
The Springboks have played two matches in this year's TriNations and have had two players suspended already.
South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins has instructed their SANZAR legal representative, Judge Lex Mpati, to address what they see as inconsistent rulings against the Springboks.
"A number of stakeholders have complained to me about the lack of consistency in the rulings of the judicial officials in rugby," Hoskins told the Cape Times.
"I have stressed to Judge Mpati the seriousness of the matter.
"I don't want to say too much further, as previously I have spoken about the issue in the media and nothing has been done about it."
Vice-captain Victor Matfield has taken a less emotional stance and says that the Springboks just needed adapt to the referee's law interpretations in the opening 20 minutes but did feel that their discipline was good in NZ.
"It's just doing stupid things out of our character that we have to cut out at the moment," he said.
It's just one of many areas South Africa must improve to keep their title defence alive.
"I think we need to do everything better," Matfield told AAP.
"We're not right up there at the moment."
.jpg)
