Cape Town - SARU president Oregan Hoskins says Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is "no worse" than Rugby World Cup winning coach Jake White, adding the two were on par as far as coaching goes.

Hoskins has admitted concern over the Boks' woeful Tri-Nations campaign thus far in 2010, but insisted that sacking De Villiers is out of the question.

"We’re concerned about the losses. We shouldn’t change the personnel. In other words we shouldn’t sack the coach. I wouldn’t say he’s the best coach in the world, but I wouldn’t say he’s inferior to Jake White. I’d say they are on a par,’ said Hoskins in an interview with the Cape Argus.

Hoskins added that it was De Villiers's oddball character and poor relationship with the media, rather than his coaching ability, that concerned him most.

"My issue with the coach is his media comments. I think that detracts from his ability. That’s where I’d like to concentrate."

Hoskins confirmed that De Villiers would appear before a review panel in the next week or so, but stressed that there was nothing untoward over this "review".

When De Villiers was appointed as national coach, Hoskins was open in admitting his own choice would've been Heyneke Meyer and that De Villiers’s appointment was based on issues greater than rugby, basically implying it was a transformation appointment.

In 2009 after winning the Tri-Nations, Hoskins said the Boks were a better and happier team under De Villiers than they were under White.

Last weekend White confirmed that he would apply for the Bok job post the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but given the history between Hoskins and White, it's debatable the World Cup-winning coach would be considered.