South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi is under internal investigation for alleged racial abuse towards England’s Tom Curry during Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final at the Stade de France, indicated the Springboks management on Sunday.
During the match won (16-15) by the South Africans, in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), Mbonambi allegedly called Curry a “white c***”.
After about half an hour of play, the England flanker reported the facts to New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe – who officiated the quarter-final loss to the French on October 15 – asking him what he should answer. “Nothing, please,” Mr. O’Keefe told him.
“Reviewing available evidence”
“We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously,” the South African Rugby Union said on Sunday, adding that it was “reviewing the available evidence”.
Asked after the match if he had a problem with anything Mbonambi said, Curry responded: “Yeah,” adding that “it’s not worth talking about.” The South African hooker appears to have refused to shake his hand at the final whistle. The English have until Monday morning to contact the international rugby federation.
In the past, players who committed insults on the pitch were rarely punished. In 2016, however, Englishman Joe Marler was suspended two matches for comments made to Welshman Samson Lee. The previous year, South African Jacques Potgieter was fined for a homophobic insult during a Super Rugby match, a competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
South Africa will face New Zealand on Saturday October 28 at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France to try to win, like the All Blacks, a fourth world title.