During England's gripping World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa on Saturday evening, flanker Tom Curry made a serious allegation against Springbok Bongi Mbonambi, claiming the hooker had used a racial slur against him.
England lost the last four encounter in dramatic circumstances, with their 15-6 lead slipping away in the closing stages thanks to a converted try from Munster's RG Snyman, before a long-range kick from Handre Pollard in the dying moments.
The major story in the immediate aftermath of the game, however, has been the accusation made by Tom Curry towards Bongi Mbonambi in the first-half.
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On Thursday morning, after a significant frenzy on social media, World Rugby confirmed that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with charges against Mbonambi.
World Rugby's statement also added that a separate allegation relating to the November international between the two countries was also investigated. The statement in full read:
World Rugby has undertaken a review of allegations made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language by South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday along with a further allegation brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.
Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.
It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.
World Rugby is also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week. There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport’s values of respect, integrity and solidarity.
Tom Curry makes serious allegation against Bongi Mbonambi of racial slur
In the 24th minute of the World Cup semi-final, England flanker Tom Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe and asked the New Zealander, "Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c*nt, what should I do?"
O'Keeffe replied, "Nothing, please...I will be on it."
South Africa coach Deon Davids was unaware of the incident when asked about it in the aftermath of the game, while Curry would reaffirm in his post-match interview his claim that something inappropriate had been said to him by Sprinbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi.
After the final whistle, Mbonambi had refused to shake hands with Curry. The pair previously clashed during a test international at Twickenham last November - presumably the incident noted by World Rugby during their investigation this week.
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This is Bongi Mbonambi singling out Tom Curry in the Autumn Nations series last year. These two have history 👀 #rugby #RSAvsENG #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/NL7fvIDdTY
— springbokbabyyy (@springbokbabyyy) October 22, 2023
The serious allegation drew a cloud over the game, and could have had similarly serious repercussions for the South African player if World Rugby's investigation had uncovered evidence of any wrongdoing.
Under World Rugby regulations, disciplinary proceedings can be brought against players found guilty of "misconduct" - defined as including: "acts or statements that are, or conduct that is, discriminatory by reason of religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, colour or national or ethnic origin."
Mbonambi's participation in the World Cup final was in doubt as a result of the allegations, though many South Africans had taken to social media in the aftermath of the game to suggest that the serious accusation may have stemmed from a misunderstanding, with Mbonambi's comments possibly not spoken in English.
The suggestion made is that Mbonambi said "wit kaant" - meaning "white side" in Afrikaans - to indicate to his teammates that the ball was on the English side of the ruck, and not to interfere for fear of conceding a penalty.
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For the sake of my friends who don’t have an Afrikaans decoder on hand:
the Afrikaans word for “side” is “kant”.
You guessed it.
Pronounced just like the C word.— Elma Smit (@Elmakapelma) October 22, 2023
I do wonder what is more likely
1) Bongi shouting ‘white kant’ to alert all his defenders that the ball is on the English side.
Or!
2) that he has decided to racially insult at an English player in his third language using a swearword that no one in South Africa uses.
🤔— A-P (@rugby_ap) October 22, 2023
I’ve never heard a South African ever say those words before 😭 he would’ve either said “Voetsek” or “Jou Poes”. We don’t really use “cvnt”.
— MaddersSZN (@thfc_uzzi) October 22, 2023
Never heard a South African use the word cxnt but Kant pronounced like that same word is Afrikaans for side!!! The South Africans do have some choice swear words but that isn’t one of them!!!
— Gerard Holden (@GerardHolden) October 22, 2023
Another defence offered for Mbonambi is that the word "c*nt" is not a commonly used phrase in South Africa, especially for someone such as Mbonambi for whom English is a third language.
On Sunday afternoon, SA Rugby released a statement in response to the allegations.
They said:
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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On Monday morning, World Rugby confirmed they have launched a formal investigation into the incident for 'alleged discriminatory language'
“We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday.
“World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the process.”
The Springboks have escaped a tricky situation, as they don't have a natural replacement for Mbonambi in the squad following the injury to Malcolm Marx.
South Africa will face New Zealand in the World Cup final in the Stade de France on Saturday, with kick-off at 8pm.
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