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South Africa statement: Springboks investigating Mbonambi's alleged racist abuse of England’s Curry

By PA
Mbongeni Mbonambi of South Africa reacts during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

South Africa have begun investigating an alleged racist slur directed at England flanker Tom Curry by their hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi.

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England have until Monday morning to lodge a complaint with the citing officer after Curry claimed he had been the victim of a discriminatory remark in Saturday’s 16-15 World Cup semi-final defeat by the Springboks.

Curry drew the incident to the attention of referee Ben O’Keeffe in the second quarter of the match at the Stade de France.

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South Africa post-match media briefing – World Cup semifinal

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      South Africa post-match media briefing – World Cup semifinal

      Although the alleged slur is not audible on the ref mic, Curry’s subsequent conversation with O’Keeffe is.

      “Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c*** what do I do?” the Sale flanker said.

      O’Keeffe replied: “Nothing, please. I’ll be on it.”

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      South Africa on Sunday responded by confirming they are looking into the incident.

      “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,” an SA Rugby statement read.

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      When asked after the match if Mbonambi had said something he should not have done, Curry replied “yeah”, although he declined to reveal the content of the remark.

      Mbonambi, who took over as captain once Siya Kolisi had been replaced, refused to shake Curry’s hand at the end of a dramatic clash in Paris that was won by Handre Pollard’s penalty after 78 minutes.

      World Rugby confirmed there is a 36-hour window from when the game ends for England to lodge a complaint to the citing officer, giving them until 10am BST on Monday to act.

      The sport’s global governing body can also choose to pursue the matter, with any case likely to be brought under the ‘bringing the game into disrepute’ banner.

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      Also, if the citing officer finds any evidence of the alleged racist remark, disciplinary proceedings can be triggered against Mbonambi, with an offence such as this likely to contravene law 9.12 – a player must not verbally abuse anyone.

      England led for all but five minutes of the semi-final and were nine points ahead until RG Snyman went over in the 70th minute at a time when the Springboks’ scrum was taking control through the introduction of the ‘Bomb Squad’.

      Jonny May said England’s heroic effort against the world champions was fuelled by the belief that they had been dismissed as a serious threat by South Africa.

      “I’ll be honest, I don’t think necessarily the South Africans respect us,” May said.

      “Some of the things their coach has openly said about us in their documentaries and stuff probably just adds fuel to the fire.

      “We touched on their documentary and we’ve got staff who were with them and they gave us insight of how they feel about us.”

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      Comments

      103 Comments
      G
      GG 575 days ago

      Guys, I find this whole accusation amazing. Coming from a private school English lad like Curry accusing Bongi, a black South African brought up in our country, of saying something racist and by implication racist. This from someone brought up in England who for centuries have done structured racism and treated many people terribly for centuries. This is hilarious. What about the many times the English have used the term Dutchmen when referring to the white South African population. Crazy.

      y
      yster 575 days ago

      Very strange that the moms have all this sensitivity as c$%nt is one of the most commonly used words in the UK especially England, and oh they love referring to people as foreign c%$nts and a whole myriad. Curry has a record for foul play and the only way that goes away is when he diverts attention, if Bongi is cleared what is the sanction on Curry?

      S
      Sumkunn Tsadmiova 576 days ago

      Don’t see the problem. Mbonambi had a good weekend apart from a dodgy curry on Saturday night. Happens…

      S
      Sumkunn Tsadmiova 576 days ago

      Sinckler had a worse weekend. He got flattened by an ox on Saturday night.

      B
      BE 576 days ago

      Old joke, man says “that’s a nice bolour yellow”

      Second man “Don’t you mean colour”

      “It’s what I said, I just ban’t say the “b” “

      “Well try say the word using the letter k”

      “Kolour! what a clever idea and what a silly bunt I am”

      W
      WK 576 days ago

      So, when o’ Mahoney sledges people it’s just ‘banter’. It’s well documented that Retallick called o’ Mahoney a fuckwit after their QF. No issues guys, it’s just banter. But if a black South African dare do something like that (still, just rumours, no evidence as yet) then there is complete outrage…

      B
      Blanco 576 days ago

      When O’Mahoney sledges people it actually sparks a two year self righteous outrage fest in NZ. I agree though, no formal consequences. Highly unusual for a black South African to say such a thing. Mbonambi plays amongst whites all the time.

      I think Curry may regret if this escalates. Mbonambi didn’t shake his hand: he was pissed and according to Curry it relates to race.

      Are we missing Curry’s half of that Sledge I wonder?

      A
      Alex 576 days ago

      it was probably appropriate

      r
      rory 576 days ago

      Biggest issue here is he alleged to have said it. There is no proof at the moment and a person is innocent till PROVEN guilt. That is the society we live in.

      Who is to say that Curry was not trying to get him into trouble or mis heard what was actually said?

      With no proof, this should be swept aside and Bongi’s name should be out of the headlines. What’s also telling is it’s Monday morning and there has been no official complaint from England. IF Curry really believes what was said and felt so offended, then surely he/Engalnd would have launched an official complaint already.

      People really need to not get emotional about these things before there is actual evidence.

      Finally, Bongi has lived in a society where there has actually been racism for many years. He knows it. He has never been accused of it before and has no record. Personally, I doubt he said what is ALLEGED to have been said.

      C
      Chesterfield 576 days ago

      Miskien moet jy bietjie van daardie wit lees, Kant?

      e
      etienne 576 days ago

      And thats why SA and NZ is on top. While some Northern Hemisphere players like snowflake “Curry” thin skin get pierced by words. In the South things like that is like water on a ducks back. We get raised to be mentally strong. And that is the difference to why the South does better.

      R
      Red and White Dynamight 576 days ago

      1. what is said on the field, stays on the field.

      2. if youre black, you can say anything you like. Its still not racist.

      3. Sth Africans will always play the victim. When you have The Waterboy and his disciples fanning the flames, best to just ignore them. Its ‘win at all costs’, they dont care.

      S
      STAUNCH 576 days ago

      Blacks can be racist too. He should be punished if Curry was telling the truth.

      e
      ed 576 days ago

      If you keep pocking don’t complain when you get pocked in the eye.

      J
      JD 576 days ago

      Really? The referee has to put up with medics and water people wondering onto the pitch. The setting of the scrum which you would think neither team ever seems to have done in their lives. And now Johnny May, a huge rugby player compared to me a 110lb female, is complaining to the ref that he called me a name? Really??? Did he take his lunch money as well?. What is wrong with you all? Can you not look after yourselves and ignore the comment. You look stupid. You’re playing rugby, not tiddlywinks. Man up. You're getting paid a lot of money and all you can do is complain that someone called you a name. Talk about overentitled.

      e
      etienne 576 days ago

      Well said.👏

      J
      Just another Pod 577 days ago

      “Clump” isn't even a top 10 swearword in South Africa even in English. I very much doubt he said “Clump”. He was probably talking Afrikaans and stupid Curry wanted to make issues to try and get an advantage in the game.

      I
      IZITBRU 577 days ago

      But England wear white jerseys, I don't understand?

      F
      FC 576 days ago

      And Curry definitely is a c….

      p
      proooooovince 577 days ago

      Maybe he said “what a” and not “white”

      J
      Jimmy 577 days ago

      Bongi probably said something n Afrikaans like “water kant?” Or “wit kant” which means “which side” and “white side” respectively.

      e
      etienne 576 days ago

      Lol wit kant, sounds simulator to white cunt

      B
      Blanco 577 days ago

      “Water kant” does sound like “What a cunt!”

      Must get myself an Afrikaans phrasebook and Springbok jersey for tricky situations.

      B
      Blanco 577 days ago

      Jonny May said England’s heroic effort against the world champions was fuelled by the belief that they had been dismissed as a serious threat by South Africa.

      “I’ll be honest, I don’t think necessarily the South Africans respect us,” May said.

      “Some of the things their coach has openly said about us in their documentaries and stuff probably just adds fuel to the fire.


      I think this view is shared by many other countries. South Africa and New Zealand are not respectful of other rugby nations. There is one side carefully crafted for public consumption by their marketing depts and then there is what they really think.


      The media in these countries are absolutely nuts with conspiracy theory and disinformation. Calling other countries ‘arrogant’ based on perceived sleights from their own red-top swivel eyed media outlets.


      NZ were accidentally caught belittling and insulting the Uruguan team and others. When they were asked about Rieko Ioane walking over to the Irish crowd in Paris and making mocking gestures Foster and Cane just used the opportunity to publicly attack Jonathon Sexton. If they have a no D1ckhead policy then how can they tolerate Ioane’s actions?


      SA and NZ scraped by the NH teams this year, in razor tight matches and their first wins against Ireland and France in years. This in another tournament with a F*cked up draw.

      They will boast on, but the gap in standards is closed and hopefully the France, English and Celtic nations will continue to develop themselves and to help other countries develop and bring some true humility to the game.


      Being the most privileged rugby nations on earth and then whining, mocking and pointing fingers at others is literally the definition of an ego problem.


      (Please don’t list out your rugby achievements in reply to this your literally proving my point. Shoot us but don’t bore us to death FFS)

      N
      Nigel the dunce 576 days ago

      NH rugby bring humility to the game maybe but England wont.

      You quote J May showing no humility & proud to disrespect the other team by spouting off what he described as no respect & saying it didn’t bother him - well clearly it did bother him otherwise why mention it ? didn’t the Boks praise Borthwick & England on their game? Yes they did.


      Englands game hasn’t improved because they nearly beat the Boks

      lets be honest England love being the underdogs.

      In a brand of ugly rugby they did out play the Boks to a point.

      Weather was a factor & they knew Boks kicking could be a factor - there was an awful lot of chirping to the ref from various England players another tactic, not to mention the constant jumping up high fives & screaming in the faces of the Boks celebrating of penalties or line outs - I say if that’s you motivation then fine but you don’t SH sides doing this constantly.

      In the end the game was lost but there wasn’t any humility from England just smiles across the board of look how well we’ve done to ‘nearly’ win & accusations of racism to deflect from the loss.

      G
      GG 576 days ago

      Turlough, the NH sides are now bloody good, but when it really mattered, they couldn’t show the ambition to go for it and score the try that was needed. It takes risk, and they all at the crucial moment lacked the ambition. They will learn, and a, sure in future will not freeze in the moment.

      I
      Ian 576 days ago

      Same old sour loser garbage toulough. Do us all a favourand change the record.

      F
      FC 576 days ago

      The only reason the gap between the 2 hemispheres has closed is because the SH players and coaches in your club and national teams have raised the standards, and have taught you how to play.

      Keep trying though. We think its cute that you keep convincing yourselves you actually stand a chance.

      R
      Red and White Dynamight 576 days ago

      You sure do whine and troll alot for someone whose sole beef is alleging others whine and troll alot. Grow a spine, you make Sexton look like he’s grown a hide.

      P
      PC 576 days ago

      What are you lot on about? Players have plenty of respect for each other. You have seen players consoling losing teams. There is always a few idiots like Farrell, sexton and ioane. But generally they leave the game on the field. Nz losing to England in 2019 on England then losing to SA is not disrespect, its mental fatigue from big games the week before. Sa and nz have always been the top teams but yes the gap is closing. But the players want decent opposition to test and compete. They don’t think any team is not worth their time.

      N
      Ninjin 577 days ago

      It is not just SA and NZ who disrespect behind closed doors. England did it in 2019 after beating the All Blacks and was under the impression they just have to show up to the final and they are world champs ( most delusional rugby team on earth). France and Aus do it outright. Wales talk so much bs about how good they are it is not even funny and after the first ever victory against the All Blacks Ireland also drank the kool aid. These are professional sportsman earning bucket loads of money so some ego’s are huge. The whole point of sport is to be the best at what you do and if you dont like what the other guy is saying then play them into the ground.

      K
      KiwiSteve 577 days ago

      Turdough strikes again. I look forward to seeing the Irish team form the digit 9 during a Haka if they make it that far. 4 more years…

      S
      Stinger 577 days ago

      You make suppositions without substance. All tier 1 nations don't have much respect for tier 2 nations, and also among tier 1 nations themselves. So what! This talk is a sideshow, but it looks like the words of the SA coach seems to be more inspirational than that of England.

      N
      Nathan 577 days ago

      Let me start by saying that Bongi’s comments are absolutely uncalled for and wrong - and if true, should be dealt with. We are not scared to talk about racism in RSA considering our past. Rugby is central to reconciliation in our country.


      Now - As a South African your comment makes me very sad. I haven’t had running water for almost a week. We have 2-6 hour electricity outages daily. And I am one of the more privileged people in the country.


      “Being the most privileged rugby nations on earth and then whining, mocking and pointing fingers at others is literally the definition of an ego problem.” Please take the time to read about where Siya Kolisi came from. I have worked as a doctor in townships like where he grew up. There are at least 3 players in that starting lineup who I guarantee you would not have had their own shoes to play rugby in growing up.


      I don’t want to offend you - and have never replied to posts before. But I do not think you are truly aware of the hell many of these men have had to go through to get to where they are, and the lack of privilege many of our players come from. Rugby gives our broken country some joy. I may not be able to boil the kettle or have a shower, but I can follow these guys who came from way less privilege than I did fighting their way to World Cup wins. I can watch Siya Kolisi’s press conferences where he shows utter respect to opposition teams, and want my Son to watch him and emulate his humility.


      I speak only of South Africa because that is what I know - I hope this context helps you, I am sorry that you are so upset by the springboks and our media - but perhaps some context will help you to have a bit more grace for us.


      Have a great day.

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