REVEALED: World Rugby are looking into a DIFFERENT incident involving Tom Curry and Bongi Mbonambi in investigation into England ‘white ****’ slur – despite fans claiming South Africa star’s innocence was proven

• New footage and audio appeared to exonerate Mbonambi of making racist slur
• England’s Tom Curry alleged Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’ in exchange
• But World Rugby are reportedly looking into another exchange  
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

World Rugby are investigating an off-the-ball flashpoint between Bongi Mbonambi and Tom Curry, before the England flanker complained to the referee last Saturday that he had been racially abused by South Africa’s hooker.

Since it emerged that Curry had approached New Zealand official Ben O’Keeffe and claimed that Mbonambi had called him a ‘white ****’, Springbok supporters have flooded social media with protests about a simple misunderstanding.

Footage has been widely shared which, it has been argued, serves as proof that the 32-year-old Sharks player was merely shouting the Afrikaans phrase ‘wit kant’, which means ‘white side’ – apparently in reference to the England team.

However, Mail Sport has learned that the exchange which is actually being reviewed by the authorities was not part of that passage of play.

Instead, it is understood that Curry’s complaint arose after a comment made when the ball had gone out of play.

WARNING: The embedded clip below features very strong language 

England’s Tom Curry pictured next to South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi during the semi-final

The flanker asks referee Ben O’Keeffe: ‘When their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?’

The Sale openside has played many matches against South Africa, for England and the Lions, and has also spent years playing alongside Afikaans-speaking players at his club, so he would have become familiar with any phrases used regularly during matches.

His evident distress during and after the World Cup semi-final very much suggested that what he had heard directed at him was not a run-of-the-mill rugby term in another language which he would have heard many times before.

On Monday, World Rugby confirmed that they had launched an investigation into the episode at the Stade de France.

Privately, officials are concerned that a lack of compelling audio evidence may hinder their attempts to establish a clear picture of what happened, but they are pursuing the matter using all available means.

Rugby fans on social media have claimed it is usual for the Springboks to speak to each other in Afrikaans, and this is not racial abuse. 

One person commented beneath the video: ‘The team speak Afrikaans all the time to make it harder for opposition to understand. Curry owes Bongi an apology.’

The footage shows Curry being tackled, which is when Mbonambi shouts the alleged phrase

After play is brought back to an advantage, Curry approaches the ref regarding the incident

Another said: ‘I’m really struggling so I could be wrong, but to me it’s sounds like he’s saying ‘wyd kant’ (same side we’re folding to).’

On Monday, World Rugby revealed they would be looking into Mbonambi in a statement.

‘World Rugby takes all allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously,’ read a statement from the governing body.

‘We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry’s in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday.

‘World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the process.’

While Mbonambi has not yet formally responded to the allegations, a South Africa rugby spokesperson has said: ‘We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously, and are reviewing the available evidence. 

‘We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim.’

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