President Nelson Mandela has approved a judicial inquiry into the administration of South African rugby for the sake of the players and the sport-loving public, a presidential advisor confirmed.

Steve Tshwete, South Africa's sports minister, was permitted by Mandela to upgrade a government-led team into a full-blown independent commission in the belief that it would serve both the public and the game.

In a statement issued yesterday by Mandela's legal advisor, Fink Haysom, the president said there was a sufficient degree of public concern to merit an independent investigation.

Acting Justice Jules Browde has been appointed to head up the commission into the administration of rugby which, during the Apartheid era, had maintained extremely close ties with the state.

"A commission of inquiry is particularly relevant where there is a lack of transparency in the management of the affairs being investigated," the statement said.

"Suspicion and allegations, which on the face of it seem improbable and unfair, continue to attach to prominent members of SARFU and SARFU's own exculpatory denials and statements have failed to dispel the doubts of the public," the statement said.

The commission was scheduled to begin hearing evidence on November 18th, but this was seen as unlikely as the head of SARFU, Louis Luyt, has announced his intention to challenge the matter in court and proceedings could be delayed until early next year.

SARFU initially welcomed the commission, but then opposed it when Luyt said the commission would infringe on SARFU's constitutional rights.

The inquiry was rooted in allegations by former Transvaal Rugby Union vice-president Brian van Rooyen that there was unspecified irregularities in the sport's administration.

Since winning the 1995 World Cup against New Zealand's All Blacks, South African rugby has been dogged by controversy both on and off the field.

Allegations of nepotism, racism and corruption have trailed SARFU administration since 1995.

Meanwhile, South Africa has slammed the door on players who make their rugby careers outside the country's borders. Stars such as Francois Pienaar, Joel Stransky, Gavin Johnson, Rudolf Straeuli and Fritz van Heerden, who have chosen to earn a living at the game overseas, will no longer be considered for the Springboks.

A stark announcement by Rian Oberholzer, the chief executive of SARFU, effectively closed the borders on the professional players.

"We are only following the lead set by New Zealand in trying to keep their players out of Japan and other places," Oberholzer said.