As South Africa’s players celebrate winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, Esa (L), the daughter of South Africa’s hooker Bongi Mbonambi, holds the Webb Ellis Cup in the air while being carried by her father. Pictured by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

Following reports that the South Africa hooker made a racial insult towards Tom Curry, Bongi Mbonambi has called out England as “unprofessional”.

The event happened on October 21, during the Springboks’ 16–15 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup semifinal in France.

Before allowing Mbonambi to participate in the championship match against New Zealand, World Rugby examined audio and video recordings as well as submissions from the two teams, concluding that there was “insufficient evidence” that he had uttered the claimed phrase.

It was stated by World Rugby that it was “concerned” about the internet harassment that both Mbonambi and Curry had experienced. Before the competition, the organizers installed equipment designed to shield coaches, officials, and athletes from mistreatment.

“It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious,” said a statement.

The reason for the misunderstanding, according to 32-year-old Mbonambi, is that he was speaking Afrikaans, a language commonly utilized by Boks players to make sure the opposition does not comprehend team communications.

“I think it is a very sad thing when you live in a first world country [England], you think the rest of the world speaks English,” Mbonambi stated to BBC Sport Africa.

“They acted in an unprofessional manner. They may have searched for the word in Afrikaans and English dictionaries on the internet.

“People understood [in South Africa] but obviously their side was misunderstood.”

Flanker Curry approached New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe about half an hour into the match in Paris, reported the alleged comment and asked what he should do in response.

“Nothing please,” replied O’Keeffe.

Hooker Bongi Mbonambi of South Africa passes the ball past flanker Tom Curry of England (2nd R) while being tackled by England’s center Manu Tuilagi (bottom R). Image: AFP

The worldwide governing body of rugby, World Rugby, adding that the case was “closed unless additional evidence comes to light” after wrapping up its inquiry.

The South African Rugby Union stated that it has “absolute faith in the honesty and integrity” of Mbonambi, but England head coach Steve Borthwick contended that Curry was not given a fair hearing.

“I’m glad it was well taken care of [by World Rugby] and that is all in the past now,” Mbonambi said.

“But I have never racially swore at him.”

Additionally, it was claimed that the two players had argued during the Springboks’ victory over England in the Autumn Nations Series of the previous year. Curry asserted that Mbonambi had said something similar during that match at Twickenham in November 2022.

Mbonambi responded, “I don’t know him at all,” when asked about his connection to Curry.

While World Rugby conducted their inquiry, Mbonambi had to wait in nerve-wracking anticipation to find out if he would be banned for the final against New Zealand, and the Springboks coaching staff postponed announcing their starting lineup.

Last injury

Even though he was given the all-clear to play, Mbonambi’s time in the Paris final was short-lived as All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell’s fall in the fourth minute injured his right knee.

When flanker-turned-forward Deon Fourie replaced him, South Africa was extremely concerned, but Mbonambi maintained that he had complete faith in Fourie.

The Springboks proceeded to triumph 12-11, making history as the first team to win the championship four times and the second side after New Zealand to win it back-to-back.

 

Mbonambi said, “It didn’t feel good at all [to leave that early because of an injury].”

“I understood right away that something wasn’t right when it happened. But Fourie deserves all the credit for having done his share.

It was a difficult situation for him to be in, and I think he took it upon himself since he knew what needed to be done. But it was not simple.

We were aware that 14 other players had supported him in addition to the one person on the field, and he is aware of this. At the Springboks, that is the way we operate.”

Mbonambi and the rest of the team participated in a four-day tour of Pretoria with the Webb Ellis trophy following the Boks’ World Cup return Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and East London.