Geo Cronje was cleared of racism

The investigation follows the resignation of communications manager Mark Keohane after he exposed new claims of prejudice in the squad.

South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) and SA Rugby, which controls the professional arm of the game, have opted to reopen the case, which was sparked by allegations against Springbok lock Geo Cronje.

SA announce World Cup squad

Cronje was kicked out of a Springbok training camp last week after allegedly refusing to share a room or bathroom with black team-mate Quinton Davids.

He was subsequently cleared of racism by an internal inquiry but left out of South Africa's 30-man World Cup squad.

Keohane resigned on Tuesday saying he could "no longer be part of a squad in which prejudice is tolerated, wished away and excused".

In a joint statement SARFU and SA Rugby said: "The two bodies were informed of the resignation of Springbok communications manager Mark Keohane, who came forward with new allegations of prejudice within the Springbok camp.

"In light of this the board and executive considered these allegations serious enough to warrant a new investigation.

My decision to resign is a moral one as I can no longer be part of a squad in which prejudice is tolerated, wished away and excused Former South Africa media liaison officer Mark Keohane

"SARFU is approaching an eminent person to conduct the independent investigation."

Keohane said he had handed SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer a report detailing his concerns of prejudice within the Springbok set-up.

"I trust that it will give him and his board the necessary insight, and that it will assist SA Rugby in the ongoing fight against any form of prejudice," said Keohane.

Oberholzer has been criticised in certain sections of the media for his handling of the incident, but he received the full support of the board.

"I want to place on record my disgust at the media accusations directed at Oberholzer and the ill-informed condemnation of his decision to remove Geo Cronje from the Springbok training squad," added Keohane.

"Following discussions with the Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli and the Springbok manager Gideon Sam I feel that all trust has been broken down and that irreparable damage has been done to our professional relationship."

Western Province's Davids was also left out of the Springbok training squad.

Rugby has always been my passion and therefore any opportunity to represent my country or my province is an honour Geo Cronje

But South Africa Rudolf Straeuli insisted the incident had not swayed his selection process.

Cronje released a statement through his provincial side, the Blue Bulls, saying: "I am back at the Blue Bulls where I would like to focus all my time and energy on my rugby.

"That is all that's important to me at this stage.

"Rugby has always been my passion and therefore any opportunity to represent my country or my province is an honour.