accused of racial insult by Englishman Tom Curry, South African Bongi Mbonambi cleared by World Rugby

The international rugby body considered that it did not have “sufficient evidence at present to initiate proceedings”.

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South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi before a test match against New Zealand, August 25, 2023 (DAVID DAVIES / MAXPPP)

Accused of racial insult by England XV player Tom Curry during the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup, South African player Bongi Mbonambi will not be subject to any prosecution, announced Thursday October 26 World Rugby. The governing body of international rugby said in a press release:not having enough evidence at present” to sanction Mbonambi. Tom Curry declared last Saturday October 21 that he had been insulted as a “white cunt” (“white cunt” or “white bastard” according to Larousse) by his opposite number during the defeat England against the Springboks.

World Rugby states that “after studying all available evidence, including match footage, audio recordings and testimonies from both teams […]the case is considered closed unless additional evidence is discovered“. She specifies that a “another allegation made in recent days regarding a previous match in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series“had been reported to him.”World Rugby further acknowledges that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith and that there is no suggestion that the allegations were deliberately false or malicious.“, specifies the press release.

Bongi Mbonambi will therefore be present for the World Cup final on Saturday against New Zealand. The hooker will start the match following the announcement of the starting XV made this Thursday by the Boks.


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