Bongi Mbonambi matter: Where we stand three days out from World Cup final

Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi has been singled out for using an alleged racial slur during last Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris.

With three days to go to the World Cup final where the Boks will meet New Zealand, this is where we stand on the matter.

What Mbonambi is alleged to have said?

England loose forward Tom Curry asked referee Ben O’Keeffe what he should do about the fact the Bok hooker had called him a “white c***” during the match in Paris on Saturday night, which the Boks won 16-15.

O’Keeffe responds by saying “Nothing please”. He then adds, “I will be on it” although it is not clear if this in response to Curry’s question.

Reaction

After the match Curry said he didn’t want to elaborate on the incident. It seems the Boks only became aware of the matter when a story appeared in a British newspaper and acknowledged they were aware of Curry’s allegation.

World Cup on Monday said they would formally review the matter.

Bok scrum coach Daan Human, quizzed on the matter at a press conference, said: “Bongi’s down to earth, a guy I would love to have on the field and he’s a great guy … he’s a calm guy, and he’s humble.”

South Africans jump to Mbonambi’s defence

It didn’t take long for the majority of Bok rugby fans to step in for Mbonambi, saying his on-field comments had been lost in translation, and that he’d either used the words “wyd” (wide) or “wit” (white) “kant” (side) rather than what Curry thought had been directed at him, to indicate where the ball is or where the Boks should defend.

There are a number of video clips doing the rounds on social media, ‘proving’ Mbonambi’s innocence, but none of the audio is clear and fully audible.

What’s at stake

If Mbonambi is charged or banned for anything it will leave the Springboks in a huge hole regarding their hooker position for the World Cup final, as he is the only specialist No 2 in the squad.

Malcolm Marx, who picked up a serious knee injury early in the tournament, was replaced by Handre Pollard in the squad, with the Boks’ management happy to back makeshift hookers Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden, who are both specialist flankers.

The Boks are set to name their team for the final on Thursday morning and will hope to get an answer from World Rugby as soon as possible about Mbonambi’s availability or not for the match on Saturday.