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South Africa captain Siya Kolisi addresses online abuse of England's Tom Curry
By Josh Raisey
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has reached out to England flanker Tom Curry this week following abuse and threats he received online.
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The 25-year-old was the subject of online attacks this week after his allegation that he was racially by South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi during the World Cup semi-final.
World Rugby ended its investigation on Thursday, saying there is “insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges,” and Mbonambi was selected to start for the Springboks in the World Cup final against the All Blacks soon after.
Following the team announcement, the Springboks’ captain said that the team are “supporting” the Englishman and “thinking of him”, and that he has spoken to him this week.
“I have spoken to him,” Kolisi said.
“I sent him a message. He is someone I respect.
“We can take it as players, when it comes to you it’s fine, but when families are involved it’s different.
“I have let him know we are supporting him, we are thinking of him.”
Despite the online abuse he has received this week, as well as the focus on the investigation, Curry has still been selected to start in England’s bronze final match against Argentina on Friday. England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth explained that the squad have fully supported during this trying situation.
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“I know the players would have got round him,” he said. “Steve [Borthwick] and the management team have been all over it. I’m sure he is getting every bit of support he needs.”
Wigglesworth also added how the squad have not let the investigation be a distraction this week. He said: “We get stuck into our prep for Argentina. The process is the process. We have no knowledge of how long that is going to go on for on the outcome. Every week there is always some sort of thing you could be distracted by. This is international rugby, there is lots of noise around it. This distraction is different but it’s still noise that isn’t about Friday night.”
If Curry were a true sportsmen, he should Noa apologize to Bongi, publicly… and def before he returns to SA
I think Curry is a right prick but online threats and abuse are fkn disgusting. Unfortunately there’s always a bunch of lowlife anonymous keyboard warriors, to cowardly to stand up in real life (Naaigel comes to mind …), so they unleash their frustrations on the internet, safe behind their anonymity.
Amazingly classy from Kolisi.
I have to assume this was a mishearing of some Afrikaans, but clearly Kolisi realises Curry wouldn't make up an accusation like that to try and win a rugby match.
Curry is a fierce competitor who oversteps the line physically but he has a lot of integrity and there is no way he would falsely accuse someone of that.
Where did they publish the “evidence” of social media abuse? I cannot find it. Did Curry give it to the English media or can anyone make an accusation just like that?
Regardless of the outcome in such moments, it’s often worthwhile considering the situation if the roles were reversed. If Mbonambi made the accusation, as a South African, I would want him to be heard and taken seriously. If it turns out to be a misunderstanding, then so be it, but I would still want it to be okay to express his version of things without fear of backlash. I would likewise be horrified, as I was last week regarding Cobus Reinach if people went after Mbonambi’s family.
On the flip side, if Tom Curry were the one being accused, I’m sure my fellow English fans would want him to be given a fair shake, being innocent until proven guilty and not thrown to the courts of popular opinion. I’m also sure you would be horrified at the prospect of him being sanctioned without evidence.
Let’s put this aside and enjoy what will most likely be a fantastic weekend of rugby. Good luck to all the teams involved!
“Despite the online abuse he has received this week, as well as the focus on the investigation, Curry has still been selected” - what kind of nonsense is this? Are you somehow inferring that online nastiness would influence team selection….? Imagine how that would be used for negative gains by online abusers. Absurd reporting. And, if this is your approach what did you have to say when you heard about death threats to Kobus R before his selection for the England match?
Well done Siya and the team, wonder if the French did the same to Cobus and his son…..good luck for Sat Bokke….
Classy stuff from Kolisi as always. On the contrary, some of the comments on here in the last few days have been quite disappointing from both sides. None of us were there so nobody can say with any certainty who is in the right. Tom Curry thought he heard some racial abuse directed at him, and was right to report it. On the other hand, Bongi could have innocently said something in Afrikaans and been misheard. Neither deserve the trial by social media, it’s pathetic.
At least this has a bit of closure and there’ll be more content on the actual rugby. Good luck to both teams on what should be a great final.