An application by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to have the King Inquiry into allegations of racism within the Springboks camp opened to the media was dismissed by the Cape High Court last night.
Retired Judge Edwin King was appointed by the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) and SA Rugby, the professional arm of the sport, to investigate the claims.
The inquiry started yesterday, but Judge King has yet to interview any witnesses as the terms of reference had yet to be finalised.
The furore started when white lock Geo Cronje was expelled for allegedly refusing to share a room with black lock Quinton Davids for racial reasons, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing by an internal SARFU investigation.
However, further allegations of prejudice within the squad were presented to SA Rugby last Tuesday in a seven-page report by media manager Mark Keohane who resigned from his position that day in protest at what he called a "cover-up".
No time-frame has been set for King's inquiry but SARFU hope it will be "completed in the shortest possible time".
The row comes at the worst possible moment for the Springboks who will contest the World Cup next month in Australia.
