2023 Rugby World Cup

[KnickerlessParsons]

Can't find a thread so thought I'd start one nice and early for some pre chat.

Really don't think either England or Wales are going to get out of the pool rounds 🙁

Yay!
Barnsey for the win 😁

I imagine the investigation is happening because it was thought to be a racist insult and that has to be taken seriously. The explanation that’s been given here sounds right and it sounds like neither Curry nor England has pursued this. Hopefully it will be cleared up in 24 hours and we can all look forward to a great Final (including the SA hooker).

Weirdly my brother in SA knew nothing about the racial slur incident.

There’s videos floating around Twitter of the alleged comment, it’s pretty hard to make out over crowd noise but it sounds like Mbonambi shouts 3 or 4 times to his team mates in Afrikaans.

I don’t know if it’s confirmed that the video is what Curry was reporting, but is apparently the only similarish comment people can hear him make.

@JayAlfredPrufrock I’ve heard about it here in the US but it’s only through SA social media/memes that I became aware. It’s not a story here yet at all. And I’m surprised there isn’t very much coverage on the tournament here generally as the USA is hosting RWC 2031… anyhoo…

As an aside, I believe Bongi Mbonambi grew up speaking SeSotho as his first language, not Zulu.

I came on here to see what mumsnet were saying about it - good to see a more reasonable reaction than in the comments sections of the tabloids.

But I’m also interested to see what the investigation produces.

In my humble opinion, it would be an odd choice of word to fall out of any south African’s mouth in the heat of the moment as I didn’t hear that word in SA at all. Others meaning the same, yes, but that one, no.

On a lighter note, God help anyone misunderstanding a South African complaining about the size of their Amazon packaging 😉

My DW speaks Afrikaans and when I told her what happened first she cracked up laughing and then told me that "cunt" simply isn't a word that South Africans use.

The Afrikaans for 'white side' (meaning, I guess, England have the ball) is 'wit kant' and the A will be pronounced a bit flat. So, it's all a bit tomayto tomahto.

My understanding is that Afrikaans is the most widely-spoken language in SA although English might be closing in. It's the first language of a majority of white people, most coloured people, and most black people would also speak some. Given that no one outside SA understands it apart from expatriates it's quite a sensible language to speak on the pitch.

Really the only thing relevant is the team always speaks Afrikaans on the field and this has been the case before so I am not sure how on earth its got this far. It should have been cleared up quickly after the game. Media picked it up and ran with it, and since writing to several, only one has included the Afrikaans language clarification since I raised it with them. I'm amazed it hasn't been cleared up as of this morning. It looks bad for World rugby and especially the RFU for being so intolerant and ignorant to the fact other languages will be spoken. This is not the first time those words have been used by the Boks and all the refs would have heard it before.

So Bongi has now been cleared to play for Saturdays game, but this is not resolved.

There is another incident from November last year that is also being reviewed, Curry has alleged that he was verbally abused then too.

So why did he not act on it then, last year?

I still think it's a tactic to throw the Boks off. They obviously couldn't name the squad tomorrow 9am , until something happened today.

So it's now an ongoing investigation but due to the timing that it will take, he is cleared to play Saturday.

It is such a load of bollocks imo.

'n egter regter klomp kak.

Yes, very annoying. What is he playing at? I thought they only had a certain period of time to make a complaint?

The thing that really gets me.... why is English the default language? It was investigated because its an offensive term in English. The whole saga stinks of sour grapes and deliberate tactics to put them off. Shame on all concerned including World Rugby.

If he's cleared of this one, then what happens to Tom Curry? he was wrong and he accused someone of a racial slur.

This is actually no different to Americans expecting English people to use American terms or pronunciations. I wish Tom Curry would put his hand up, say he realises it was a misunderstanding, and have a beer with Bongi. That would stop this being the media beat-up its become.

.

😂

The memes doing the rounds are quite the masterpieces.

We are all just waiting for Nandos to come out with their advert 😂 they never miss an opportunity.

People are having kant t-shirts made up for Saturday. The screen printers are very busy thanks to Curry.
Just a shame for him that everyone here just thinks he's a complete poephol.

No it's very very different to that actually.

🤣🤣🤣

@isthismylifenow he's been cleared from both allegations, same phrase both times. RFU have doubled down and issued a poor statement, accusing him again of racial abuse.

World Rugby: 'Having considered all the available evidence, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges. Therefore, the matter is deemed closed unless additional evidence comes to light.'

In a statement, South Africa rugby said it welcomed World Rugby’s decision, stated that Mbonambi denied all the allegations against him and defended his position and character.
“Any form of racism is abhorrent to SA Rugby and the Springbok team whose purpose is to do everything in its power to assist in uniting our diverse and multicultural nation,” the statement read. “Bongi Mbonambi is an experienced, respected and decorated Test player and, needless to say, denied the allegations from the outset. SA Rugby has absolute faith in the honesty and integrity of Bongi.
“The team’s focus remains, as it has throughout the week, on Saturday’s match against New Zealand. SA Rugby will make no further comment on the matter.”

--
Well they have plenty of evidence including that of him saying the phrase a number of times while addressing his team so it isn't a lack of evidence, but a lack of support to prove the allegation, that it was racial abuse towards one player. I think the history with Curry and him injuring Ox Nche last November has added to the animosity prior to the game.

I hope RFU drop this now. Two games to go, Go Pumas, Go Bokke!!!

Thank you, I did see this after I posted this morning. Thank goodness that nonsense is out of the way. I think this going down in history though, a bit like 'my fok Marelize' 😂 where it's just a generally accepted phrase everyone uses.

There is such hype though now, and I would love it if it was like this forever. I do feel a bit nervous though. 100% chance of rain. 🙈

Our Bok boys are not rested. They have played tough games all the way through. I think this is why Libbok is out, not even on bench.

My dd's boyfriend is a Kiwi so she's decided to work that night 😂😂 she says it's going to be too stressful to watch together.

It's a bit wishy washy though isn't it from RFU? They say there isn't enough evidence to pursue it. That's not exactly a ringing agreement that there was no abuse or racially motivated abuse. I feel quite let down.

The SA statement is great though, I love it.

Hasn't Borthwick heard of the phrase, when you're in a hole, stop digging? Seems incredibly poor PR from England (and maybe RFU too). This little tiff threatens to overshadow the whole competition. The sulky tone is not a good look.

Maybe I wasn't clear. I think it's the English who had the unrealistic expectations here.

@TomPinch
I can't believe you used the term 'coloured people'
I think that says it all really.

I think, though I could be wrong, that it has a different connotation in South Africa, oviedo. It's worth looking up.

Indeed it does

You're right - apologies.

I'm Spanish and know it's very offensive in the UK