1
Springboks' Mbonambi update, le Roux explains his England bust-up
By Liam Heagney
The Springboks have delivered the latest update regarding the ongoing Bongi Mbonambi investigation by World Rugby, while Willie le Roux has also explained his final whistle altercation last Saturday night with England players, including skipper Owen Farrell.
ADVERTISEMENT
It emerged on Monday that World Rugby were formally reviewing the allegation made by Tom Curry in relation to the alleged use of discriminatory language by South African hooker Mbonambi.
Ahead of their latest pre-Rugby World Cup final media briefing on Wednesday afternoon, reporters were told from the stage in Presles that neither assistant coach Felix Jones nor ‘bomb squad’ members Kwagga Smith nor le Roux would be taking questions on the matter.
Instead, a staff member said: “The Bongi investigation remains ongoing, it’s a World Rugby process, it’s live so we’re not in a position to answer any questions about the state of that investigation.”
Full-back le Roux shared his top-table interview time with Smith and during that segment, he was asked to explain what had happened immediately after referee Ben O’Keeffe blew his final whistle to confirm the Springboks were 16-15 winners over England.
“It was just emotion,” he claimed. “I think I had the same emotion as everyone back home, I was excited, the margins in those big games are so small.
“I just jumped up out of the emotion of happiness that we had just got through a World Cup semi-final. There was no disrespect to any of the English players. I think they thought there was and I immediately told them there wasn’t and then it stopped. There was nothing, nothing about that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday’s final will be assistant coach Jones’ last game with the Springboks before he links up with Steve Borthwick’s England for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations. There has been speculation that his arrival will see current defence coach Kevin Sinfield leave his post after just a year.
Jones, though, opted not to confirm the exact role he will be taking when he joins England. “I am assistant coach so between myself, Richard (Wigglesworth) and Steve that will all get sorted out. I rather not go into that with the game on the weekend.”
One of the main talking points heading into this weekend is whether Manie Libbok has a chance of selection after he was tactically replaced in the first half of the semi-final so that the under-pressure Springboks could improve their kicking game with sub Handre Pollard on.
Coach Jacques Nienaber insisted post-game that such an early substitution didn’t mean that Libbok wouldn’t be considered to start the final, and Jones confirmed that the experience hadn’t affected the way the out-half was going about his work this week with the squad.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Manie has been this week his normal self,” suggested Jones. “He has been doing everything he has normally done for us since he came in with the group just over a year ago… he has been his normal, happy self this week, helps the guys around him, performs his extras, performs his detail, assists in meetings, there has been no difference to Manie.”
Speaking generally, Jones added: “The mood in the camp, as you would expect for a World Cup final, everyone is hugely excited, a high level of focus, everyone wants to get their detail down early in the week and concentrate on delivering a performance and enjoying it.”
Springboks get down to Rugby World Cup final training on Wednesday in Paris. #NZLvRSA #RWC2023 #Springboks pic.twitter.com/QEBudLn9yu
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2023
That “word” is rarely if never used in the SA esp. by black or colored player. They use Afrikaans word for “box”(d🙄s).
The up\downside is that Mr Curry just earned his new nickname 🤔😏😏
Pot calling the kettle unsportsmanlike…go watch the game again for excessive ENG celebrating. If crooked lineout throws merit ENG players high-fiveing and roaring, then a come-from-behind semifinal victory is worth a shout.
I don't seriously think he wasn't tying to rile them up, or wasn't reacting to something that had riled him up. He went right into their faces. He can't think we're that undiscerning can he? It was emotion, and it was over the top. Having said that, I'm amazed at how much attention petulant acts in the heat of the moment are getting in the media these days. This shouldn't be such a talking point. He's human after all.
Should be celebrating rugby, but world rugby has turned a showcase into a farce. Just sad 😞
They're not selecting Willemse, Arendse or Manie. Canan Moodie will come onto the wing.
Boks will start Faf and the bench will have seven forwards with two of those locks.
They'll plan to slow the game so the hooker gets through the game and they'll use the reserve hooker as a flanker along with Kwagga.
Looking forward to the Argentinian No 8 running over top of Curry…sir, sir what’s a puta?
What a farce this has turned into. Here we are on the eve of picking the teams and the port drinkers are still cuffing back their cigars over a decision. I cant help but wonder had it been the other way around Curry would have been nailed to the cross by the same decision makers, and received ongoing obloquy from the nobles at the world press outlets!
Interesting to note that as this goes on how the victim of the slur is being attacked, while the man who made the slur (supposedly), carries on his merry way without a mention. Well, this is the way it is these days isn’t it? WR won’t comment, why, just let the keyboard enthusiasts and certain journalists take the driver’s seat and forge a new narrative!
Yay!! So Bongi is playing on Saturday 😬 GO BOKKE!!
If Bongi is allowed to play in the WC final he’s got to use the same phrase to an AB when the ref can’t hear. Nobody would ever believe he’d dare to do it again! “Sir, sir he’s called me a white c*nt as well. Go away Sam and stop being stupid! Richie would never try that on. Maybe O’Mahony’s right!”
It is clear to me what Nick heard and this has to do with a a white shirt. The word ‘kant’ is pronounced exactly like the c word.
Boks are too good to get pulled into this BS and I hope it just goes away.