A documentary episode focusing on former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has been removed at the last minute from a new M-Net series, with claims that SA Rugby played a role in the decision.
Shape Shifters, produced by IdeaCandy, was initially advertised as a three-part profile series and is set to launch on M-Net this week. However, only two episodes featuring Ray McCauley and Helen Zille, will now be broadcast.
According to Rapport, the completed third episode, centred on De Villiers, was pulled shortly before transmission. The episode reportedly included critical commentary about SA Rugby, prompting claims that pressure was applied through SuperSport, which has an ongoing commercial relationship with the governing body.
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Sources cited by Rapport allege SA Rugby contacted SuperSport, leading to pressure on M-Net to cancel the episode. SuperSport is heavily reliant on SA Rugby content, and insiders suggest there is also an informal understanding regarding access to rugby figures.
Apart from his often tumultuous time at the helm of the Springboks, the episode also explored De Villiers’ life beyond the rugby field, including personal tragedy, his political involvement and an investigation into a sexual harassment allegation.
SA Rugby has denied any involvement. Spokesperson Andy Colquhoun said the union is “not in a position to stop or influence any broadcaster’s decision”.
MultiChoice, through identical statements from both M-Net and SuperSport, said the episode was withdrawn after “key contributors” pulled out late in the production process.
“Without their participation, the final product would not have been sufficiently balanced,” said Waldimar Pelser, MultiChoice’s director of premium channels. “The difficult decision was therefore taken not to broadcast the episode in its current format at this time.”
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The broadcaster did not respond to questions about whether SA Rugby applied pressure through SuperSport.
De Villiers himself did not respond to Rapport’s requests for comment.
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