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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.
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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.”
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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.
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“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.
Get over yourself!
It was pathetic. Celebrating every error by an opponent like they had won the world cup.
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.
Kurt Lee Arendse is playing
Looking forward to the Argentinian No 8 running over top of Curry…sir, sir what’s a puta?
I could tell you, but I won’t insult your mother
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!
Where is Curry being attacked? I have not seen any articles attacking him nor any comment attacking him on those articles or on Reddit? Is it on twitter?
Well said 👍
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!”
I'd like to buy him a drink and explain how to exploit language in a way that everyone laughs a long at. You seem to think he said it then?
It’s hardly relevant as the AB do not wear white shirts. The clue is in the name.
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.
Which c word is that?
Cmon get real. If he wanted to call who had the ball he's just say white, not white shirt….
Dr A(rsehead) - I think your shirt idea is a little disingenuous. I’m sure Bongi knew exactly what he was saying. And I very much doubt he was getting all shirty…..
Well, maybe Curry should face the media and sort this out. He made the claim so he is the one to come forward in a proper way. Not this circus that’s going on.
Proper way is the process that is happening. You think trial by media is the way forward?
I am slightly confused by all of this - maybe someone can explain?
As far as I saw Curry did not accuse anyone - he just asked a rhetorical question, and I was of the understanding that England did not even raise a complaint about the game.
We now have the World Rugby people investigating something that allegedly happened almost a year ago!? (I though any sanction had to be initiated within a few days? Can we expect new sanctions to be raised against people for things that happened years ago?
And all this because Curry asked a rhetorical question - do we even know WHY he asked the question? (if he was verbally/racially abused and he was actually upset about it, you dont say “please sir, what IF..” you would be more upset/definite about it and say “Sir he said….”
Is it anything to do with how the England team were “wound up” by the coaches showing them videos/documenatries and talking through things? Seemingly trying to get them “wound up” for the game, suggesting that they are ot respected etc? Did someone remember the “Wit kant” that was said last year, and suggest to Curry he should ask the question? Is there some “master-plan” involved here?
Just this whole situation seems to have got out of control, and seems (timing wise) totally inappropriate - so was it planned, or was Curry really being stupid to raise a question in a live game about an incident that happened in a different game a year ago!?
“please sir - what if…. “ ???
You can't accuse someone of saying that in a rhetorical way. It was either lost in translation, or happened, or Curry is making mischief. As it's been said I think a process needs to happen to clear it up. I believe that's what's happening?
Once more the English press have found something to sell papers with. Unfortunately the refs mike was the reason. They are disgusting but so feared I don't blame WR for taking it further because you can imagine the bulldust the Daily Heil would make it they didn't, especially as their darling team were beaten.
As far as I am aware the situation is as follows:
In Saturday’s semi, Curry made the remark to BOK that he had been insulted during the game.
In the days following that, journalists dug up footage which showed an altercation between Mbonambi and Curry that took place in the Nov 22 game and indicated the two had “history”. They implied this might support Curry’s assertion.
The two are separate incidents, and the latter has been offered as support to the notion that something took place as there was existing friction between the two. No complaint was made in November 2022.
RFU did lay a complaint.
Is it definite that the alleged incident didn’t happen in the recent game?
It’s reported in the Times that world rugby announced yesterday that the investigation won’t complete before the weekend and so Bongi is free to play the final. Don’t know why no one else is reporting this.
That’s not true. WR confirmed that there is no timeline yet.
Well, this site will not have enough “gossip” and Bok-bashing before the game.