By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
World Rugby released a statement saying there is insufficient evidence to proceed with any charges against Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi, ahead of the Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks in Saint-Denis on Saturday.
The full statement reads as follows:
“World Rugby has undertaken a review of allegations made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language by South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday along with a further allegation brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series 2022.”
“Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.”
But governing body World Rugby added that the England flanker had made the allegation in good faith.
The Rugby Football Union has said it is “deeply disappointed” by World Rugby’s decision that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with disciplinary action against South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi after a second allegation he made a racial slur at England’s Tom Curry came to light.
The global governing body has said that it considers the matter closed unless additional evidence comes to light with Mbonambi free to line up for the Springboks in Saturday’s World Cup final.
The RFU has also revealed that, as well as the allegation that Curry was called a “white cunt” during last Saturday’s World Cup semi-final, a further allegation was brought forward that the flanker was subjected to “the same abuse by the same player” in England’s defeat by South Africa in November 2022.
Curry said he was abused during last Saturday’s semi-final, in which South Africa beat England 16-15.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi says he has reached out to Curry and hopes the abuse will stop.
I have spoken to him,” Kolisi said. “We can take it as players when it comes to you directly, but when it’s your family, it’s difficult.”
Meanwhile Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has named his matchday 23 to face New Zealand in the World Cup final at Stade de France on Saturday.
Half-backs Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard start in the only two changes to the starting line-up that faced England in the semi-finals. They replace Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok, who drop out of the 23 altogether as South Africa revert to the 7-1 split of forwards and backs among the replacements that they used in the Pool B match against Ireland on 23 September.
Line-up
South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.