The accusation that South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi used a racial slur during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match against England has caused a stir in the rugby world. Tom Curry claimed Mbonambi called him a “white ct,” which has been caught on audio and is currently being investigated by World Rugby. Some South African supporters suggest that Mbonambi’s words may have been misconstrued as he was using Afrikaans, one of the country’s official languages, to communicate strategies on the field. This incident raises important questions about language and cultural differences in sports and the responsibility of organizations to address these matters with care.
World Rugby is investigating accusations of a racial slur made by South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi against England’s Tom Curry during the Rugby World Cup semifinal. Curry reported the alleged comment to the referee and Mbonambi’s involvement in the upcoming World Cup final against New Zealand could be at risk if evidence is found to back Curry’s claims. Discrimination issues remain a top priority for the sport.