During Saturday’s tense World Cup semifinal between the Springboks and England at the Stade de France, flank Tom Curry is allegedly the target of a racial slur by Bongi Mbonambi, who has been the subject of independent investigations from both World Rugby and SA Rugby.
Curry immediately reported the incident to match referee Ben O’Keeffe because he felt the Springbok hooker had called him a “white c***” and thereby insulted him.
Although O’Keeffe at the time dismissed the incident, it was later revealed through a leak, and England complained to World Rugby, who then launched an official investigation into the case.
However, audio from the incident’s time period has recently come to light and is going popular on social media. The video shows Bongi Mbonambi shouting repeatedly as the Springboks defend inside their own 22. The Afrikaans words “wit kant” and “wyd kant,” which both mean “white side” or “wide side,” are what some South Africans claim he screams.
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WATCH AND LISTER TO THE INCIDENT BELOW
ALL BLACKS CHIP IN WITH A COMMENT ON BONGI MBONAMBIAll Blacks defense coach Scott McLeod was questioned by the media during a news conference on Monday. He was asked for his thoughts on Bongi Mbonambi’s alleged racism, the investigations into the incident, and what the saga means for the Springboks going into the championship game.
In response, McLeod didn’t mince words and said that the Springboks would suffer a significant loss if Mbonambi were to miss the RWC championship match against the All Blacks.
“I only found out this morning. World Rugby will deal with it, according to McLeod.
“If anything came of it, they would take a huge hit. He is the team’s leader. When Siya [Kolisi, South Africa’s captain], leaves, he takes over, therefore I can see how that might have an effect.
them.”
