Beleaguered Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has been given the unequivocal backing of South African Rugby Union President Oregan Hoskins, following criticism from the media and the public after SA's 15-27 loss to Australia in Durban.

De Villiers and the Springboks were booed after the Boks performed poorly to lose their Tri-Nations clash against the Wallabies on Saturday.

The Springboks made countless basic errors, and generally seemed bereft of any cohesive strategy in the match, despite the coach's insistence that he wants the team to play an expansive style of rugby.

De Villiers subsequently also received much criticism in the media, with various publications speculating on the coach's fate. But Hoskins cleared the air with a statement released to the media on Monday.

"I would like to make it clear that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, his management team and playing squad have my unequivocal backing and that of the South African Rugby Union Presidents Council and of the Board of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd," said Hoskins.

"Although we share and understand the frustration and disappointment of supporters. Speculation about the coach's future is pointless.

"The two most disappointed people in South Africa today are, in fact, Peter de Villiers and captain Victor Matfield and we know they will be doing everything in their power to achieve victory at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday."

The President also said that De Villiers's pending review was a routine formality, and had no bearing on the coach's immediate future with the Springboks.

"Let me put an end to speculation that the post Tri-Nations review will in some way be pivotal to the future of the coach. That is not the case.

"It is an entirely normal quarterly review such as every Springbok coach has undergone.

"I would like to underline that De Villiers's future is secure. We are not in the business of sacking Springbok coaches within three months of them playing their first match."

It is interesting to note that previous Springbok coaches such as Carel du Plessis and Ian MacIntosh in the nineties were similarly backed by their bosses, but sacked soon afterwards.

365