World Rugby confirmed there is a 36-hour window from when the game ends for England to lodge a complaint, giving them until 10am BST on Monday; Tom Curry drew the incident involving hooker Bongi Mbonambi to the referee's attention around 30 minutes into semi-final loss to South Africa
Monday 23 October 2023 12:14, UK
South Africa have begun investigating an alleged racist slur directed at England flanker Tom Curry by their hooker Bongi Mbonambi during Saturday's World Cup semi-final.
England have until Monday morning to lodge a complaint with the citing officer after Curry claimed he had been the victim of a discriminatory remark in Saturday's 16-15 World Cup semi-final defeat by the Springboks.
Curry drew the incident involving hooker Mbonambi to the attention of referee Ben O'Keeffe around the half-hour mark of the match at the Stade de France and asked what he should do in response.
O'Keeffe replied: "Nothing, please. I'll be on it."
When asked after the match if Mbonambi had said something he shouldn't have done, Curry replied "yeah", although he declined to reveal what was said.
Mbonambi refused to shake Curry's hand at the end of a dramatic clash in Paris that was won by Handre Pollard's penalty after 78 minutes.
World Rugby confirmed there is a 36-hour window from when the game ends for England to lodge a complaint to the citing officer, giving them until 10am BST on Monday to act.
South Africa on Sunday responded by confirming they are looking into the incident.
"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," an SA Rugby statement read.
The sport's global governing body can also choose to pursue the matter with any case likely to be brought under the 'bringing the game into disrepute' banner.
Also, if the citing officer finds any evidence of the alleged racist remark he can trigger disciplinary proceedings against Mbonambi with an offence such as this likely to contravene law 9.12 - a player must not verbally abuse anyone.
South Africa forwards coach Deon Davids was asked about the incident at his side's media briefing on Sunday morning.
"I'm not aware of that. I'm not aware of any comment. If it was discussed, I'm not sure what the comment was or when it was said. I don't know," Davids said.
England led for all but five minutes of the semi-final and were nine points ahead until RG Snyman went over in the 70th minute at a time when the Springboks' scrum was taking control.
The victory for South Africa means they now face New Zealand in a World Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday October 28 (8pm kick-off BST).
The defeat for England means they come up against Argentina in next week's World Cup third-place play-off at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday October 27 (8pm kick-off BST).
