World Rugby have confirmed they will open an investigation into an alleged racial slur made by Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi against England backrower Tom Curry during the weekend’s Rugby World Cup 2023 semifinal between the two sides at the Stade de France in Paris.
South Africa won the tight contest 15-16, in a game which was dominated by their opponents until the final 10 minutes.
In hugely confrontational game, Curry claims Mbonambi called him a ‘white c**t’ as the two pushed and shoved each other following a break down in play at the 28th minute mark.
‘Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white c**t, what do I do?’ Curry asked referee Ben O’Keefe.
‘Do nothing,’ was O’Keefe’s reply.
For their part the South Africans have come out and said that Curry misheard the remarks, claiming Mbonambi was speaking in Afrikaans the phrase ‘wit kant, wit kant’, meaning ‘white side, white side’ – a warning call to his team mates that they had lost the ball to England.
England had until Monday to lodge a formal complaint, following which World Rugby opened their investigation. World Rugby said they would be making no further comment until the investigation has concluded.
You’re a white Englishman, do nothing and carry on.
Tom Curry asks last night’s ref how to react to racial slur. pic.twitter.com/okbBTvXxsN
— GorgeousGeorge (@GAdamsOfKent) October 22, 2023
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
