Springbok Bongi Mbonambi CLEARED By World Rugby Due To Lack Of Evidence

The Springboks have broken their silence against the recent “racial slur” allegations by England player Tom Curry against South African player Bongi Mbonambi after Saturdays semi-final match.

Tom Curry alleged that Bok hooker Bongi had used a racial slur towards him after England lost 15-16 to the Boks. World Rugby took Curry’s allegations seriously and went on to investigate the matter after a formal complaint was laid by Curry.

From the onset, South Africans across the world and Sprinboks fans came to Bongi’s defence, arguing that the term allegedly used by Bongi was not a racial term but was instead a phrase/word used in the Afrikaans language.

World Rugby has finally come to the conclusion that no further action will be taken against Bongi due to a lack of evidence of the alleged incident.

“Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges,” the statement said.

“Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.

“It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.”

SA Rugby have also released a statement welcoming the result of this investigation.

“SA Rugby has noted World Rugby’s announcement concerning their investigation into an incident arising from the Rugby World Cup semi-final and welcomes the decision that no further action will be taken. Any form of racism is abhorrent to SA Rugby and the Springbok team whose purpose is to do everything in its power to assist in uniting our diverse and multicultural nation. Bongi Mbonambi is an experienced, respected and decorated Test player and, needless to say, denied the allegations from the outset. SA Rugby has absolute faith in the honesty and integrity of Bongi. The team’s focus remains, as it has throughout the week, on Saturday’s match against New Zealand. SA Rugby will make no further comment on the matter.” – SA Rugby

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