[WATCH] Bongi in the dog Boks: Hooker faces possible Rugby World Cup final ban
|Published
Drama: Mbonambi and Curry.Picture credit: Mike Egerton
The Springboks’ preparations for this week’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand at Stade de France have been severely hampered by the news that World Rugby is investigating Bongi Mbonambi over a complaint of racism.
Mbonambi is accused of wysing England flanker Tom Curry he’s a “white c**t” in the Springboks’ 16-15 World Cup semifinal at the weekend.
Curry then asked referee Ben O’Keeffe: “Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?”
It all comes down to this - a date with destiny 🏆![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#StrongerTogether #Springboks #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/whFfcudP1P
— Springboks (@Springboks) October 23, 2023
O’Keeffe then said: “Nothing, please.”
With England not commenting on the matter afterwards, World Rugby issued a statement on Monday.
It reads: “World Rugby takes all allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously.
“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 semifinal on Saturday.
“World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the process.”
This is the alledged Bongi Mbonambi incident. It's clear he's shouting at his team mates "wye kant'". Curry probably heard right but the this looks and sounds like a misunderstanding. Lost in translation. pic.twitter.com/UrI39I4Pbv
— JR (@Rasimione) October 23, 2023
Already without injured superstar hooker Malcolm Marx, a possible World Rugby match ban for Mbonambi, if found guilty, would be a huge blow to South Africa ahead of Saturday’s final.
With only one hooker, Deon Fourie (who has spent most of recent seasons on the side of the scrum) and a makeshift in Marco van Staden in their squad, South Africans will be holding thumbs that their No.2 is found innocent.
At the time of their press conference in Paris on Monday, the verdict was not yet out.
Asked about the situation, scrum coach Daan Human says: “That’s being dealt with by SA Rugby and World Rugby. I can’t comment on it as I just run with the scrum. Bongi had good training and he participated well. I can’t really comment on that. Bongi has been part of this group for the past six years and is an important part of our puzzle.”