This incident happened during England’s heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat on Saturday.
I highly doubt Bongi said that. Calling someone a White C*nt is very far down the list of insults for a South African, possibly not even on the list! Why is Tom even crying to the ref about this?!? Man up, you’re playing rugby ffs! If the RFU were to lodge a complaint it would be… pic.twitter.com/AbccLC8uS2
— Captain Springbok 🤜🤛 (@CaptSpringbok) October 22, 2023
Watching the video, you can hear Tom Curry making the allegation of a racist slur to the referee in the 28th minute of the match.
Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***t what do I do??
To which the New Zealand referee responded by saying:
Nothing please……….. I’ll be on it.
Fans have taken to Twitter to express their views :
Tom curry and the English media are doing to Bongi Mbonambi what they did to Megan and Harry. They’re trying to tarnish his reputation because they’re sore losers pic.twitter.com/m1bYaNbCDq
— Inenekazi 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 (@Inenekazi1) October 22, 2023
Tom Curry, a lying bad loser who tried everything to target both Siya & Mbonambi but failed. He is trying the last trick – race card🙄
— Manikivana (@Manikipi) October 22, 2023
I sincerely hope that after it’s found to be something that was “lost in translation,” Tom Curry, the English team and management will be so gracious as to apologize to Bongi, his family and the boks with the very same intensity they used to besmirch his good name and honor.
— Zyn Ski (@HannieEvan) October 23, 2023
South Africa Rugby has issued a statement saying:
We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously,a nd are reviewing the available evidence……We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim.
South Africa will take on the All Blacks this Sunday the 29th of October, 2023, at 7.00am.
[Source: Planet Rugby, Twitter, Google, The guardian]