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ENGLAND star Tom Curry accused South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi of calling him a “white c***” in a staggering World Cup race row.
And World Rugby chiefs are now under pressure to BAN the Springbok hooker from next week’s showpiece final showdown with New Zealand.
Curry made the allegations directly to referee Ben O’Keeffe just before half-time in Saturday’s heartbreaking 16-15 semi-final defeat.
In the conversation, picked up by the “ref link” microphone, the Sale flanker went up to the official and said: “Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c*** what can I do?”
O’Keeffe responded: “Nothing please. I’ll be on it.”
Curry was furious, demanding action against the South African powerhouse, who played the whole 80 minutes as the defending champions stole victory at the death.
The back row star was still seething after the match, although he opted not to make a public denunciation of the South African.
Mbonambi refused to shake Curry’s hand at the final whistle in a blatant snub.
Asked if the South African had “said something he shouldn’t have”, a terse Curry replied: “Yeah.”
Probed on whether he would say what he had heard, Curry added: “No.” – The Sun
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge