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Watch - Video purporting to reveal Bongi Mbonambi and Tom Curry incident emerges
By Ian Cameron
A video that appears to reveal the audio from the Bongi Mbonambi and Tom Curry incident during the Rugby World Cup semi-final between South Africa and England has emerged online.
World Rugby is investigating an allegation made by Curry that he was racially abused by South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the first half of Saturday’s semi-final defeat.
Curry claimed to referee Ben O’Keeffe that he was called a “white c***” by Mbonambi and, after a complaint made by the Rugby Football Union, audio and video footage is being examined for evidence.
Now video of the incident is doing the rounds on X and a player can be heard shouting a phrase not dissimilar to what is being alleged.
Many Afrikaans Springboks supporters believe Mbonambi said 'Wit kant' or 'wyd kant' which loosely translates as 'white side' or 'open side' respectively, although other accounts suggest Mbonambi - who went to English-speaking private school St. Alban's College - is not a speaker of the language.
Cape Saakie posted the video on X, which is being pored over by rugby fans eager to work out what exactly was said:
Whether the audio on the clip is viewed as compelling evidence in either direction is very much anyone's guess.
World Rugby was on Tuesday evening unable to provide any update on its investigation into the allegation made against Mbonambi but intends on completing the process as quickly as possibly.
"I haven't discussed that [with him]. But to be straightforward and honest with you, he is a calm guy," said assistant coach Daan Human was asked about the scandal today. "He is well spoken and I don't want to actually go into it because we have a World Cup final in six days' time. Like I said I am more concentrated on the forwards.
"I can tell you one thing, we have three hookers [including Deon Fourie and Marco van Staden] in the group. Three guys who are capable of playing hooker so we are very comfortable having three hookers. If you want to go into a final, you must have two hookers."
additional reporting PA
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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