England flanker Tom Curry has accused South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him during the Boks’ 16-15 World Cup semifinal victory which put them into the final against the All Blacks.
Curry reported the alleged offence to New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe during the match – O’Keeffe’s microphone relayed the conversation.
Curry is heard saying: “Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white **** what do I do?” O’Keeffe responded by saying: “Nothing, please. I’ll be on it.”
Mbonambi’s alleged comment, which cannot be repeated here, was not picked up by O’Keeffe’s microphone.
It has also been reported that Mbonambi refused to shake hands with Curry after a match which featured several heated moments and finished in a scuffle between England skipper Owen Farrell and Boks fullback Willie le Roux at the final whistle.
The febrile atmosphere at the Stade de France was compounded by the France supporters in the crowd frequently jeering O'Keeffe, who officiated over the hosts' quarter-final defeat to South Africa a week earlier at the same ground.
The Guardian newspaper today reported that Curry was visibly shaken after the match.
When asked if something was said to him by Mbonambi, he said: “Yeah.”
Pressed on what had been said, he declined to say. “No. It doesn’t need to be talked about. I’m not talking about it now.”
Farrell later said his flashpoint with le Roux was a “misunderstanding”.
Boks assistant coach Deon Davids, asked a day after the match whether Mbonambi had sworn at Curry, replied: "I am not aware of any comment, it was never discussed. I don't know."
In a statement issued later, however, South Africa Rugby said: “We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously, and are reviewing the available evidence. We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim.”
It is understood that England have until Tuesday morning NZT to make an official complaint to World Rugby via the citing process, however, it’s possible they may leave it to the governing body to investigate on the grounds it could bring the game into disrepute.
Should they investigate and Mbonambi be found guilty he could miss Sunday’s final.
Rugby’s Law 9.12 states: “A player must not verbally abuse anyone. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, abuse based on: religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation.”
A low-end sanction is a six-week ban. The maximum is a full year out of the game.
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