SOUTH Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi has been accused of using a racial slur towards England flanker Tom Curry.
Here we take a look at the allegation made and what both sides have said in response.
GettyBongi Mbonambi pictured during a South Africa training session[/caption]
What has Tom Curry claimed Bongi Mbonambi said to him?
Professional rugby union star Tom Curry has alleged that fellow player Bongi Mbonambi used a racial slur during England’s semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
During the highly contested game, Curry accused opponent Bongi Mbonambi of calling him a “white c**t”.
But it has emerged that a potential defence could be that Curry misunderstood a comment made by Mbonambi in Afrikaans.
He could have used the term “wit kant” – meaning “white side” in Afrikaans- to tell team-mates that the ball was on the English side of the ruck.
Following the allegation, World Rugby chiefs are launching a formal investigation.
They are now under pressure to ban Bongi Mbonambi from the Rugby World Cup final which will see defending champions South Africa take on rugby colossus New Zealand on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 8pm.
The governing body confirmed it will make no further comment on the incident until the conclusion of its review process.
No indication has been given of how long the investigation will take.
What did Tom Curry say?
Curry was furious, demanding action against the South African powerhouse.
He made the allegations directly to referee Ben O’Keeffe just before half-time at the Stade de France.
In the conversation, picked up by the “ref link” microphone, the Sale flanker went up to the official and said: “Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c*** what can I do?”
O’Keeffe responded: “Nothing please. I’ll be on it.”
The alleged incident itself could not be heard on the television broadcast.
The back row star was still seething after the match, although he opted not to make a public denunciation of the South African.
When asked if Bongi Mbonambi had “said something he shouldn’t have”, Curry replied: “Yeah.”
When probed on whether he would say what he had heard, Curry added: “No.”
“It wasn’t cleared up. It doesn’t need to be talked about.
“Listen, I’m not talking about it now.”
Has Bongi Mbonambi responded?
At the time of writing, Bongi Mbonambi, who appeared to refuse to shake Curry’s hand at the final whistle, has not directly responded to the allegation made – however, SA Rugby has issued a statement.
The statement read: ”We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously and are reviewing the available evidence.
”We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim.”
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