PARIS — South Africa is looking into a claim by England flanker Tom Curry that he was the subject of an alleged discriminatory remark by Springboks hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi in the teams’ Rugby World Cup semifinal match.
Curry drew the incident to the attention of referee Ben O’Keeffe in the first half of the match at the Stade de France, which the Boks won 16-15 on Saturday.
Although the alleged slur is not audible on the referee mic, Curry’s subsequent conversation with O’Keeffe is.
Curry is heard asking O’Keeffe what he should do after alleging he has been called a racial slur.
“Nothing, please,” O’Keeffe replied. “I’ll be on it.”
England has until Monday morning to lodge a complaint with the citing officer.
The Springboks responded by saying they are “aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously,” and are “reviewing the available evidence.
South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi, challenges for the ball with England’s George Martin and England’s Ben Earl during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Credit: AP/Aurelien Morissard
“We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim,” SA Rugby said.
When asked after the match if Mbonambi had said something he should not have done, Curry said: “Yeah.” He declined to reveal the content of the remark.
Mbonambi took over as captain once Siya Kolisi was replaced early in the second half. Mbonambi and Curry didn’t shake hands at the end of the game, which was won by South Africa thanks to Handre Pollard’s penalty in the 78th minute.
There is a 36-hour window from when the game ends for England to lodge a complaint to the citing officer.
South Africa’s Mbongeni Mbonambi is tackled by England’s Owen Farrell during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between England and South Africa at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Saturday, Oct, 21, 2023. Credit: AP/Themba…
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