Despite a racism scandal, Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi is scheduled to play in the Rugby World Cup final.
Rugby World Cup final on Saturday (Sunday NZT) will feature South Africa’s hooker Bongi Mbonambi since the World Rugby probe into his alleged racial abuse of England flanker Tom Curry won’t be finished by this weekend.
It is “very unlikely,” according to sources close to World Rugby, that the investigation will be finished in time for the organization to file any disciplinary charges, should Curry’s claim that Mbonambi called him a “white c..t.” during South Africa’s 16–15 semifinal victory turn out to be true.
Under the circumstances, Mbonambi would be subject to a disciplinary hearing in accordance with law 9.12, which forbids verbal abuse. In order to prepare for a potential suspension, at least 48 hours would pass.
World Rugby is currently collecting evidence for their inquiry, which involves looking over all of the audio and video footage that is available and receiving submissions from parties that have been impacted. The pace at which the evidence is turned in determines how quickly the investigation will go.
The incident happened in the semifinal in the 24th minute, just after Mbonambi tackled Curry, leaving both players on the ground while play went on. Curry approaches referee Ben O’Keeffe during the following break as Owen Farrell is about to take a penalty; their conversation is captured on the referee’s microphone.
“Sir, Sir, what should I do if their hooker calls me a white c..t?” Curry queries.
O’Keeffe responds, “Please, nothing.” Then, without making it apparent whether this is in response to Curry’s complaint, he says, “I will be on it,” but he does nothing to stop Mbonambi.
Curry has received a ton of hate mail and threats on social media while the incident lingers on. Rugby director at Sale, Alex Sanderson, remarked, “I don’t understand what someone does on the rugby field causes them to receive threats.”
It is repulsive. It is not in sequence. I am ignorant about the current world. I avoid social media precisely because of this. That is the worst thing that can be found in our planet.
