Springboks hooker reignites racism row with ‘Wenkant’ shirt
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the mayor of Cape Town, gave Springboks hooker Mbonambi a shirt that said “Wenkant,” which translates from Afrikaans as “winning side.”
Following an open-top bus parade, the Rugby World Cup winning team gathered outside City Hall. Hill-Lewis introduced himself and said he wanted to give Mbonambi a gift before bringing him forward and announcing to the crowd, “Bongi’s on the wenkant!”
Mbonambi grinned, took the jersey, and bowed to the applauding audience.
In reference to Curry’s complaint to Kiwi referee Ben O’Keeffe during England’s semifinal matchup versus South Africa, Hill-Lewis made a joke. Curry claimed that Mbonambi had branded him a “white c..t.”
The week before the World Cup final, World Rugby declared that there was “insufficient evidence” to continue the inquiry into Mbonambi. Curry’s claim that Mbonambi had said “wit kant” (which translates to “white side” in Afrikaans) was one argument put out by Mbonambi’s fans from South Africa.
“Wenkant” jerseys, which retail for R200 (NZ$18), were being sold in South Africa leading up to the World Cup final last week. There is also an alternative design that has “Wit Kant” on the white side and “Groen Kant” on the green side on the back.
At the time, the Rugby Football Union vehemently defended Curry, telling World Rugby that the same player had also mistreated Curry during England’s November 2022 match against South Africa. They also expressed disappointment with the governing body’s decision to end the investigation and denounced the “disgusting abuse” Curry and his family had been subjected to on social media.
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At the time, SA Rugby supported Mbonambi as well, calling the hooker a “decorated, experienced, and respected test player” who had “denied the allegations from the outset.” SA Rugby has complete faith in Bongi’s honesty and moral character.
In the lead-up to the championship game, South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, disclosed that he had gotten in touch with Curry following the mistreatment the Sale flanker had experienced on social media.