Bongi Mbonambi Speaks Out on Tom Curry Incident and Criticizes England’s Behavior

The 2023 Rugby World Cup witnessed its fair share of controversies, and one incident that attracted considerable attention involved the allegation of racial slurs made by South Africa’s hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, directed at England’s Tom Curry during the tournament’s semi-final. Mbonambi has now broken his silence on the matter, firmly denying the allegations and criticizing the conduct of the English team as “unprofessional.” In this article, we will delve into Mbonambi’s perspective on the incident and the subsequent investigation.

In the Rugby World Cup semi-final match between South Africa and England, Tom Curry accused Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur (White c**t) against him. Curry brought this issue to the attention of the match referee, Ben O’Keefe, leading England to make a formal complaint to World Rugby. An official investigation was initiated to scrutinize the claims, which ultimately concluded that there was “insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges.”

In a recent interview with BBC Sport Africa, Bongi Mbonambi publicly addressed the incident, vehemently refuting the accusation that he employed a racial slur against Tom Curry. He conveyed his belief that the misunderstanding arose from England’s unfamiliarity with the Afrikaans language, stating, “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. “It was unprofessional on their part. They could have gone on a website and looked for an English dictionary and looked for the word in Afrikaans. People understood [in South Africa] but obviously their side was misunderstood”.

Mbonambi also addressed the notion that he might have used the Afrikaans word for “side,” which is ‘kant,’ during the incident, potentially contributing to the misunderstanding. He remarked, “I am relieved that World Rugby handled the matter effectively, and it is now a closed chapter. I want to make it clear that I never uttered any racial slurs.”

In response to questions regarding his relationship with Tom Curry, Bongi Mbonambi clarified that he had no prior knowledge of Curry. This assertion underscores the gravity of the allegations, as there was no discernible personal connection between the two players.

Following a comprehensive investigation that considered various pieces of evidence, including match footage, audio recordings, and statements from both teams, World Rugby issued an official statement. The governing body determined that there was inadequate evidence to warrant pursuing charges, effectively closing the case. The statement also acknowledged that Tom Curry had made the allegations in good faith and underscored that there was no indication that the allegations were made with deliberate falsehood or malice.

Regrettably, the allegations and the subsequent investigation had a negative impact on Tom Curry, who was subjected to online threats and abuse. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of handling such sensitive matters with caution and sensitivity, highlighting the necessity for respectful discourse within the rugby community.

The incident involving Bongi Mbonambi and Tom Curry during the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be remembered as a contentious chapter in the history of the sport. Although the investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to validate the allegations, the repercussions of the incident underscore the responsibilities that come with participating in a global sporting event. It is imperative to uphold the integrity of the game and treat all players and teams with respect and fairness, both on and off the field. Rugby, like all sports, should serve as a platform for unity and camaraderie among nations, transcending language and cultural barriers.