The South African Rugby Union is happy with Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' coaching prowess, but he has been cautioned about his relations with the media and the sponsors, as well as an over-elaborate focus on transformation in team selection.

Weekend newspapers reported that De Villiers had passed his "performance review" last week, but that his strange and controversial statements in the media did not go down as well with the committee - which consisted of Saru president Oregan Hoskins, acting Chief Executive of SA Rugby Andy Marinos, Springbok selector Ian McIntosh, the Chairman of the board of SA Rugby Jan Marais and Leopards president James Stoffberg.

The Saru committee told De Villiers to stop making statements that could potentially embarrass his employers - as his muddled metaphors did throughout the British and Irish Lions tour.

De Villiers dominated the headlines after his remarks about black and white mechanics, while his hamfisted defence of Schalk Burger after the flank was accused of eye- gouging infuriated the Lions.

"The assessment committee advised Peter to refrain from statements involving the Bible and to generally be more careful about what he says," Hoskins told both the Sunday Times and Rapport newspapers.

"We explained where he could have used a different approach. One example was the statement about the mechanic when he tried to defend Ricky Januarie's selection.

"We made it clear the media wasn't there to fight with him and that they just report what they see and hear. We spent almost a day with Peter and had quite a productive meeting. I think he can put the exercise to good use," Hoskins added.

According to newspapers the members of the committee were pleased with the Bok coach's performance, in winning the series against the Lions, but queried his team selections and his use of tactical substitutes.

De Villiers was warned that he might have placed too much of a focus on transformation and that this aspect could in future count against him.

Players of colour who had been selected, but whose form was not up to standard were apparently brought to his attention.

According to the newspapers De Villiers' media relations took up most of the meeting, with his controversial statements being discussed individually.

De Villiers had been advised to speak Afrikaans at future press conferences in order to express himself correctly.

Hoskins said that the performance review was on the whole a most constructive exercise and that the national coach had taken their advice to heart.

"We weren't necessarily Lions-tour specific, but it certainly incorporated the tour. It was the second review with Peter and I'm not sure if the next one will be after the Tri-Nations or the end-of-year tour," Hoskins said.

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