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Springboks camp 'not aware' of any Mbonambi comment

South Africa's hooker Bongi Mbonambi (R) raises his arms and sinks to his knees as he celebrates South Africa's victory at the end of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The Springboks camp has denied knowledge of ‘any comment’ made by Bongi Mbonambi towards England flanker Tom Curry.

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Curry accused the South African hooker of calling him a ‘white ****’ during the Springboks’ 16-15 win in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in Paris last night.

Curry approached referee Ben O’Keeffe regarding the alleged slur and the exchange was picked up on the match-day ref mic and is being reported on.

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England coach Steve Borthwick explains why it is so tough to overcome the Springboks

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      Video Spacer

      England coach Steve Borthwick explains why it is so tough to overcome the Springboks

      Assistant coach Deon Davids has denied knowledge of the incident when quizzed by reporters this Sunday.

      “I am not aware of any comment, it was never discussed. I don’t know,” said Davids.

      Mbonambi refused to shake Curry’s hand after the match before storming off towards the changing room.

      Curry refused to elaborate following the match on what was said, saying: “Yeah… No, it doesn’t need to be talked about. Listen, I’m not talking about it now.”

      There is some evidence of bad blood between the pair, with both Curry and Mbonambi clashing in last year’s Autumn Nations Series fixture between the two sides, with the pair tussling and exchanging words. Whether that incident had anything to do with yesterday’s unpleasantries is anyone’s guess.

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      Neither World Rugby, England nor the Springboks camp have as yet released an official statement on the matter. England have until Monday morning to make a complaint, although an independent citing commissioner could also make a complaint if there is any evidence that Mbonambi has a case to answer.

      South Africa will return to the Stade de France to face New Zealand in the final on October 28th and could be forced to start back row Deon Fourie, who is not a specialist hooker.

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      Comments

      89 Comments
      B
      Blanco 565 days ago

      When the Springboks get lucky SAs don’t believe in luck.

      England played well enough to win that match 9 times out of 10.

      The Boks needed every scrum to go their way even against the head and also the rub of the green. That was the 1 out of 10 match.

      I admire how SA have fought both here and against France. I fear that Fatigie (which was the factor that gave England a chance) will hurt them against NZ

      N
      Norman 565 days ago

      Im shocked at Englands attempt to try weaken the SA team with this nonsense. Bring there name in ill repute. Disaponting.

      r
      robert 565 days ago

      I don’t believe in luck and if I did I would be searching for 4 leaf clovers. The fact is England were dominant for 65 minutes and couldn’t capitalise enough from that. The Boks only needed 15 minutes to turn the game around. Sure we can all look at details post match that COULD have changed the score line. There were bad calls that went for the Boks and some against. Rather than thinking a final scrum penalty gave the Boks the game, think of it as Farrel not keeping his mouth shut and putting Boks into a position to take 3. That lost England the game. Like I said it’s easy to clutch at straws. I think if the media and teams continue to slag the Refs (I know we are super guilty here too) we will lose the very few people that actually enjoy and want to do it.

      Anyone that says Ireland, France, England, fuck me even Portugal are fucking shit, I ask them which RWC did they ever play in.

      B
      Blanco 565 days ago

      And lucky to be through. Many supporters would have got their just desserts if you have lost. This after complaining about (non existent) arrogance with teams like Ireland. the Kiwi pundit Kirwan said on his Podcast after the France QTR: ‘was hoping France would win, for a France-NZ final….” Again he was the man postulating the ‘arrogant NH/Irish’ theory….

      In you defense, I just think ye are utterly tribal and will therefore defend the indefensible.

      J
      Just another Pod 565 days ago

      🤣🤣🤣

      r
      robert 565 days ago

      Ireland are a fantastic team. But when you get particularly criticism for your own team by an Irish fan, it’s human nature to bite back

      r
      robert 565 days ago

      Lol. Jesus these two should get married. They sound like a couple that have been together far too long.

      d
      dk 566 days ago

      It’s easy to play dumb when every member of your squad is fricken thick as.

      B
      Bruiser 566 days ago

      Citing imminent hopefully. Curry has an obligation to take this further

      R
      Red and White Dynamight 566 days ago

      Im shocked. This Bok team have such a great history pf acknowledging their mistakes and accepting decisions that go against them.

      J
      Just another Pod 566 days ago

      Nah, ireland will get there eventually. Don't be sour, they are a good team. Just not good enough on this occasion, but you can absolutely not say they will never make it past the QFs

      M
      MM 566 days ago

      Only Muppet is Gobbyshite and his shite Irish rugby team that will never get past the quarters in a thousand years.

      J
      Just another Pod 566 days ago

      A rugby game lasts 80 minutes. Too bad England couldn't last. Came early and spaffed all over when Farrel made that drop.

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      Angry Michael looking in the mirror is a muppet show but a pretty shit episode….

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      “…..Finished the job against South Africa, they were by far the superior team?” Walked into that one dufus.


      BTW is there an advert break on the muppet show sectarian Mike? ;-)

      J
      Just another Pod 566 days ago

      I have popcorn…

      M
      MM 566 days ago

      Hey gobbyshite let's see if you can finish this sentence, “the English could have done us all a favour and ………”

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      That’s you in the mirror not your cousin sectarian Mike!

      M
      MM 566 days ago

      Hey inbred how long have you been married to your cousin ?

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      Lol Great angry post sectarian boy!


      Quick Michael run…Check out the mirror the muppet show is on …


      (if you’re too thick to understand that, reply and I’ll explain) :-)

      B
      Bob Marler 566 days ago

      Was I?


      (1/160)

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      You were arrogant and dismissive of England just like the SA team was (as confirmed by Johnny May).

      B
      Bob Marler 566 days ago

      Did I though?

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      I think with the racial history in SA, the SA union must rightly take this seriously. This could be the latest iteration in and over and back between the pair. If the argument is racial in nature it needs to be addressed.

      Mbonambi may only have been addressing based on the colour of Jersey. But if something like that was said, or Mbonambi felt there was something deeper that drove him to respond like that it needs to be sorted. Disappointing to see some SAs here gloss over this.

      s
      strachan 566 days ago

      Racial bias is deep rooted and stems from colonialism. No debate that this is a wild allegation. England lost and should move on mate. Like all NH teams.

      B
      Bob Marler 566 days ago

      I can. It’s just your hysterical nonsense is, well, nonsense.


      Now fuck off, thanks.

      B
      Bob Marler 566 days ago

      The bots have become sentient and are arguing between themselves.

      E
      Eros 566 days ago

      Hopefully the beautiful way to play rugby will be restored Sunday. Passing the ball like the AB, the Irish, the French and not kicking the ball in the air or hopping for a scrum penalties. Go AB!!!

      A
      Ace 566 days ago

      Umm, did you ask Bongi about it? Well, go on then, ask him.


      And then also ask him why he said it.

      S
      Sean 566 days ago

      Omg. Did someone call someone a naughty word ? We need to expose this hurtful name calling. Apparently Eben said the F word as well. Should have been a red card. French were robbed by the ref as well in this game. South Africa deserved 19 red yellow cards for the way the high tackled the grass

      D
      Driss 566 days ago

      Boks specialist winning by doping , cheating ( 1995: all blacks poised in the finale . 1995: same thing , refeees helped boks in all the matches .)

      People hates this team . Boks = anti rugby

      All blacks = rugby

      D
      Driss 566 days ago

      The whole world will be for the all blacks !

      Springboks are the rugby shame : cheaters , doping , referee helping.

      No one forgot 1995 : World Cup robbed .

      For sure , even world rugby will want to see all blacks winning.

      Only all blacks represent the real rugby that the people love.

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      If you’re French: France were not protecting possesion and SA saw that they could be made to spill balls. SA practiced that in training and they got 19 points out of it. France thought they cold just put up a massive performance and blow them away. SA found a way, and French coaches need to take a lot of blame here. France in Paris should have been unbeatable.

      C
      Cam 566 days ago

      🤣🤣🤣

      B
      Blanco 566 days ago

      I for one am not for the arrogant, unpleasant Brand All Black.

      E
      Ettiene 566 days ago

      Jeez got it al figured out dude?? 🙈🤣🤣

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