Police have confirmed they are investigating an incident involving an 18-year-old female student in Dunedin early on Sunday.
A police spokeswoman said the inquiry was in its infancy and it was not appropriate to release any further details at this time.
Reports the investigation centred on an alleged sexual assault involving the University of Otago student and a member of the Lions Super 15 team were rejected by the South African team's management.
"We are unaware of any of our team being involved," president Kevin de Klerk said last night.
In a statement to the Otago Daily Times, he said: "Please be assured that we at the Lions view this incident as being absolutely unacceptable and appreciate the very serious nature thereof."
"We will avail ourselves totally and co-operatively in helping to resolve this matter."
The South African team were staying in the same Dunedin hotel as another visiting Super 15 team, the Western Force. A spokesman for the Australian team declined to comment last night.
A University of Otago spokeswoman referred any comment to police.
