South African Rugby and World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus have been called to a misconduct hearing after his hour-long video critique of the match officials following the first Test loss to the British & Irish Lions.
World Rugby has expressed concern that "individuals from both teams have commented on the selection and/or performance of match officials", but say the direct nature of Erasmus's unprecedented public outburst requires a misconduct charge.
"Match officials are the backbone of the sport, and without them there is no game," a World Rugby statement said on Monday.
The statement added that the video - in which Erasmus criticised Australian referee Nic Berry during his 62-minute dissection of his side's 22-17 defeat in Cape Town - was a breach of World Rugby Regulations and would be considered by an independent disciplinary panel.
Potential sanctions for Erasmus, who now serves as South Africa's director of rugby, range from a warning or a fine, to a possible suspension from his position as an administrator.
"SA Rugby has noted the charges brought by World Rugby and will respond through the designated channels. There will be no further comment until the process is complete," SA Rugby said in a statement.
The Springboks had been angered by comments made by Lions coach Warren Gatland before the series started after scrumhalf Faf de Klerk evaded a red card for a tackle in South Africa 'A's victory over the tourists.
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British media also reported that Gatland was furious at the appointment of South African Marius Jonker as Television Match Official for the series when New Zealander Brendon Pickerill could not take up the position due to travel issues.
"World Rugby has reminded the management of both teams... of their obligations regarding the values of the sport," the statement continued.
"World Rugby will also undertake a review of its Code of Conduct relating to incidents of this nature with a view to strengthening scope, rules and sanctions."
They added that the series is "an opportunity for both teams and their management to set a positive example and concentrate on the spectacle and a wonderful example of rugby and its values at their best".
The tempestuous three-match series is level at 1-1 going into the final Test in Cape Town on Saturday.
