Springbok Eben Etzebeth has denied allegations he was involved in two off-field incidents.
The lock forward was named in South Africa's Rugby World Cup squad on Tuesday [NZT], just hours after claims emerged that he was involved in a bar fight and another altercation at a beach resort at the weekend.
Etzebeth issued a public denial saying he was not involved in either.
The South African rugby body is standing by the towering test match veteran.
South African media reports there has been no indication that police are investigating the claims that Etzebeth assaulted and racially abused a man in the coastal town of Langebaan, near Cape Town, in the early hours of Sunday [local time].
"It is completely untrue and unfounded to claim that I physically or racially abused anyone in Langebaan, as has been reported on social media," Etzebeth said.
"Multiple witnesses can corroborate that."
SA Rugby said it had "no tolerance" for acts of violence or racism, "but we also trust our people to act responsibly and tell the truth.
"We have spoken to Eben, and he categorically denies any physical or racial abuse".
The 2.03m (6ft 8in) Etzebeth is a key part of the Springboks' forward engine room and is one of five players in the squad with more than 50 test caps.
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