SARU to investigate allegation of Bok's 'racist slur'
REACTION: The England camp played the 'silent' game, but South Africa has launched an investigation into the serious allegation of a 'racist slur' that was aired against Springbok stand-in captain Bongi Mbonambi.
The London-based Telegraph on Sunday published an audio recording of England flank Tom Curry complaining to referee Ben O’Keeffe that Mbonambi called him a “white c—” during the Boks’ 16-15 World Cup semifinal win at Stade de France on Saturday.
According to the publication, the incident occurred just before the half-hour mark, with England leading 9-3.
Mbonambi took over the Bok captaincy after regular skipper Siya Kolisi left the field early in the second half – after the alleged incident.
Curry approached O’Keeffe, the New Zealand referee, and on the audio Curry can be heard saying: “Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c— what do I do?”
O’Keeffe replied: “Nothing, please.
“I will be on it.”
* (Article continues below the audio recording of Curry's allegation ...)
The South African Rugby Union later responded to the allegation by confirming they are looking into it.
"We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously," SARU told @rugby365com.
"We are reviewing the available evidence.
"We will engage with Bongi [Mbonambi] if anything is found to substantiate the claim."
Earlier on Sunday South Africa's forwards coach Deon Davids, said he was unaware of the incident.
"I'm not aware of that, I'm not aware of any comment," Davids said.
"I'm unsure what the comment was or when it was said. I don't know," the Bok assistant coach added.
In a virtual media briefing on Sunday, England coach Steve Borthwick dismissed questions with the ‘no comment’ straight bat.
“I am not going to comment on that issue,” Borthwick said.
The incident allegedly occurred just before the half-hour mark, with England leading 9-3.
After the final whistle, Mbonambi and Curry also did not shake hands.
They have a bit of a history, with a video resurfacing of the two in a scuffle on the year-end tour match at Twickenham last November.
Following the game the Sale Sharks openside flank was asked in a media scrum about the incident between him and Mbonambi.
He admitted ‘something’ was said, but declined to elaborate.
“It does not need to be talked about,” he told a mixed-zone media briefing.
The Telegraph report admits that the publication has found no audible evidence of Mbonambi’s alleged abuse.
All Black assistant coach Scott McLeod told a media briefing on Monday that they did not know about the allegations and only. heard about it on Monday morning.
"It will be a huge set-back if it is true and he is ruled out of the game.
'It is something World Rugby will deal with. If anything comes of it, it will be a massive dent for them.
"He is a leader in their team. If Siya goes off, he becomes the captain. That would really impact them."
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