Springbok loose forward Luke Watson faces a possible "code of conduct" disciplinary hearing, following his controversial remarks at a recent rugby tournament.

At the weekend we reported on Watson's inflammatory speech made as a keynote speaker at a the Ubumbo Rugby Festival at the University of Cape Town Rugby Football Club on Friday, 3 October.

The South African Rugby Union expressed shock and called for an urgent meeting to discuss Watson's comments.

And on Monday they announced that, following discussions with Judge Lex Mpati, the chairman of the National Judicial Committee of the South African Rugby Union, a designated official has been appointed to investigate statements alleged to have been made by the Bok and Western Province loose forward.

"Durban attorney Dekker Govender has been tasked with investigating the allegations and weighing the evidence to determine if they merit a breach of the South African Rugby Union code of conduct," Saru said in a brief statement.

"If a breach is identified the player will face a disciplinary hearing."

Apart from his bizarre attack on his Springbok teammates, Watson claimed he felt so nauseated by wearing the Springbok jersey that he wanted to vomit on it.

Another claim he made was that "the problem with SA rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen", whilst Watson also suggested that SA rugby is "rotten to the core" and that "the men who sit on my left and right of me in the change room despise me for who I am".

While Watson and his labelled the report as "vindictive and malicious propagandistic attacks" that are meant to divert debate from the real issues, such as transformation, unity and development, the players' remarks have been met with widespread condemnation.

Springbok captain Victor Matfield told Morris Gilbert of Beeld newspaper the comments were despicable.

"I was hoping we were past the stage when people were differentiated from one another according to race, culture and language," Matfield told the newspaper.

"If Luke used those words, he shattered the dreams of millions of young South Africans to one day play for the Springboks.

"Luke identified with the code of honour of the Springbok team which says one’s own interest is always subject to that of the team.

"When I was captain [of the Springboks] I did my best to involve Luke in all the activities. I asked him to make an input in video and team sessions and he did not want to."

Meanwhile lawyers representing the civil rights initiative AfriForum will send a letter to Luke Watson on Monday, demanding that he retract, in writing, his comment that "the problem with SA rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen" and that he apologises unreservedly.

If he does not, AfriForum plans to take him to the Equality Court for "hate speech".

365