The Springboks were once regarded as the bully-boys of world rugby. But coach Peter de Villiers believes this is no longer the case - and he can point to the statistics.

De Villiers ran the rule over his team's impeccable discipline at this Rugby World Cup. The Boks are no longer the pariahs of the international game.

"We concede six penalties per game. Our discipline on the field is good. We don't get warnings or yellow cards and we don't get cited. Our discipline off it is impeccable. No one has gone in between women and tossed dwarves," De Villiers said in a mischievous reference to the England team's problems, in which match skipper Mike Tindall was the subject of tabloid controversy last week.

"The positive reports we're getting about our behaviour on the field and how we want to play rugby are helping them (the referees) to enjoy the game," said De Villiers.

"In 2009 I had a meeting with the senior players in Stellenbosch about how we could change the perception of the referee. We have progressed 100% with that.

"The moment you start looking at what other people are doing wrong then you are going to feel all right because you are not doing anything wrong. You have to set standards for the team that the responsibility rests with all the individuals.

"The maturity of the team has been raised. Jean de Villiers, who is in charge of fines, asked the guys the other day: 'Please do something wrong so we can get some money in' (for the fines kitty)."

While All Blacks wing Zac Guildford admitted to his drinking, the Boks seem devoid of larrikins.

"Since Ricky Januarie in 2008 we haven't had disciplinary issues. That shows you how mature the guys are," De Villiers said.