South Africa have played downs reports of a rift in the team after the embattled Springboks suffered their third straight Tri-Nations loss at the weekend.

Australia comfortably beat Peter de Villiers' side 30-13, leaving the Boks bottom of the log without even a bonus point to show for their efforts.

The defeat for the defending champions in Brisbane followed back-to-back losses to New Zealand on the opening two weekends of competition.

It has left plenty of questions for the coach to answer ahead of their next game on August 21.

But for now there is mounting speculation of a camp in disarray, something the South African Rugby Union (SARU) have denied.

"I've been with the Springboks for almost three weeks now and can categorically state there is no rift in the management team," Andy Marinos, the national teams manager said.

"In my various discussions with Bok coach Peter de Villiers, his assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold, as well as senior team members John Smit and Victor Matfield, it's never once come up that there are problems in the camp.

"For three weeks in a row we have not played well and made it harder for ourselves by playing with only 14 players on the field at crucial time during the games, away from home."

De Villiers will also meet his employers later this week for a report back on the tour.

SARU are reportedly satisfied with the some part of the team, but are becoming increasing irritated by unnecessary remarks being made by the coach to the media.

Last week they had to send out a statement in an attempt to defuse comments by the coach where he suggested referees had favoured the All Blacks in the first two matches for the benefit of next year's World Cup.

De Villiers said he was misquoted, but the issue and a few others are now set to be spoken about face-to-face.

"We normally review performances after a leg like this, and we will begin this week," SARU president Oregan Hoskins told the Cape Argus.

"We're concerned about the losses. We shouldn't change the personnel - in other words we shouldn't sack the coach."

Asked if his organisation had erred by appointing De Villiers to replace Jake White, who had just led the team to the 2007 World Cup crown, he added: "I'm not a coach. That's why I don't pick the team.

"I wouldn't say he's best coach in the world, but I wouldn't say he's inferior to Jake White. I'd say they are on a par.

"My issue with the coach is his media comments - I think that detracts from his ability. That's where I'd like to concentrate."

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