Outspoken Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has sensationally suggested his team have been victims of a conspiracy to assist New Zealand ahead of next year's World Cup.

As seething South African officials took action against allegedly inconsistent refereeing and judicial rulings, de Villiers went further by insinuating the All Blacks were given a leg-up in the Tri-Nations to help swell Kiwi World Cup excitement.

"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 incensed Springbok camp are shaking their heads at why northern hemisphere referees have controlled the opening two Tests which NZ won comfortably after South Africa had men sin-binned early in both.

Lock Bakkies Botha was also suspended for the entire Tri-Nations tournament for headbutting halfback Jimmy Cowan in the 32-12 loss in Auckland while winger Jean de Villiers was banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Rene Ranger in the 31-17 Wellington defeat.

De Villiers was particularly unhappy how Irish referees Alan Lewis and Alain Rolland controlled the breakdown in both matches.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was able to remain on the field despite being penalised and warned several times by Rolland and, in response, de Villiers said his team might have to cheat to compete.

Renowned for his off-the-wall remarks, the colourful coach refined his comments slightly to say they should be more "street smart" against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.

He has the support of the South African Rugby Union with SARU president Oregan Hoskins instructing 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."

South Africa face another Irish whistle-blower on Saturday night when George Clancy controls their must-win clash in Brisbane, where they haven't triumphed in the post-apartheid era.

Vice-captain Victor Matfield said the onus was on the Springboks to adapt to the referee's law interpretations in the opening 20 minutes but believed 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 said. "We're not right up there at the moment."

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