Bongi has spoken … Mbonambi slams ‘unprofessional’ England over Tom Curry allegations
England has been described as “unprofessional” by Bongi Mbonambi, who made this statement after the Springbok hooker was found not guilty of racist abuse of Tom Curry during the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
Curry claimed that the Springboks player had called him a “white (followed by an expletive)” during South Africa’s October victory in Paris, but World Rugby determined that there was “insufficient evidence” to support his allegation.
According to Mbonambi, the altercation started because Curry didn’t realize he was speaking Afrikaans, which is a tactic used by the Springboks to make sure their opponents can’t hear them.
He said to BBC Sport Africa on Tuesday, “I think it is a very sad thing when you live in a first world country (England), you think the rest of the world speaks English.”
“They acted in an unprofessional manner. They may have searched for the word in Afrikaans and English dictionaries on the internet.
“People understood (in South Africa), but obviously their side was misunderstood.”
Curry made the accusation in good faith, World Rugby emphasized, and there was no indication that it was “deliberately false or malicious”.
Since the alleged event, both players have faced internet harassment. Curry’s team, the Sale Sharks, expressed their “disgust” at some of the comments directed at their player.
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Springboks trophy tour bus crashes in the Eastern Cape
The Springbok branded Tour bus was involved accident that happened on Monday while the vehicle was travelling from East London to Johannesburg.
Several local South African news sources report that the Springbok branded Tour bus was involved accident that happened on Monday while the vehicle was travelling from East London to Johannesburg.
According to reports, on Monday night, the bus’s brakes failed, it then veered off the road, and struck a security gate of a home in Aliwal North, Eastern Cape.
BRANDED BUS COLLIDES WITH SECURITY GATE
The bus was reportedly not carrying passengers and has since been moved from the scene.
Dispatch have reported that the Eastern Cape transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, has now confirmed the incident.
SPRINGBOKS GRATEFUL FOR TROPHY TOUR
The Springboks have thanked everyone involved in the tour and South Africans who came out to celebrate with them.
“As a Springbok team we wanted to give South African people hope, but those who welcomed us back at OR Tambo International Airport from France, and all along the trophy tour routes and airports, gave us hope to and inspired us to keep showing that regardless of your upbringing, race, religion and background, you can achieve anything,” said Kolisi.
“We played for the more than 60 million South Africans, as we stated before the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand, and the incredible support we have seen up close on the trophy tour over the past few days is truly remarkable.”
“This welcome was something else, but it was special to see the scenes when we returned home following the 2019 World Cup.”
Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life in all four provinces ran alongside the bus and cheered us on, demonstrating the unity of the country as we stated that rugby will help develop the nation.
I hope this may be observed in society as well.
“The Springboks may only take the field again next year, but the lessons we’ve learned over the last few days will continue to motivate us as a team,” Kolisi continued.
Once more, we regret not being able to visit every province and community; nevertheless, due to our need to return to our clubs, this was not feasible. But we are aware that we would have gotten the same fervor and support in every province.
“I’m grateful, South Africa. We cherish you.
