Australian rugby boss John O'Neill has welcomed South Africa's decision to postpone an investigation into racism within the Springbok squad until after the World Cup.
The South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) ordered an inquiry into allegations of racism and bigotry in the camp after lock Geo Cronje, a white player, was expelled for allegedly refusing to share a room with his black team mate Quinton Davids.
But the investigation was postponed on Tuesday partly to allow the Springboks to concentrate on the World Cup, starting in Australia on October 10th.
O'Neill told a news conference in Sydney on Wednesday he supported the South African decision but denied the issue was being swept under the carpet.
"It's been an extraordinarily difficult time for SA rugby and I think the decision to defer the decision until after the World Cup is the sensible one to allow the Springbok team to concentrate on its preparations," O'Neill said.
O'Neill said he had telephoned SARFU managing director Rian Oberholzer overnight to discuss the issue but said Australia would not interfere unless it affected the tournament.
"It is a unique problem that South Africa has to deal with, it's not our problem," O'Neill said.
"Clearly it's been a major controversy but it's a controversy in South Africa's backyard and it's not a matter Australia needs to buy into unless it affects the tournament in some way.
"Our commitment is to turn the tournament into a platform for the players to perform at their best. Distractions of a political nature really should be avoided and let's hope they are during this tournament."