South Africa hooker Mbongeni "Bongi" Mbonambi. Photo: AFP
World Rugby has found "insufficient evidence" to proceed with charges of racism allegations against Springboks hooker Mbongeni "Bongi" Mbonambi.
The sport's governing body has undertaken a review of allegations made by England's Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language by the South African front rower during last week's semi-final between the two teams in Paris.
World Rugby were also reviewing a further allegation brought forward in recent days about a previous match in the Autumn Nations Series in 2022.
In a statement, the governing body said, "Any allegation of discrimination is taken extremely seriously by World Rugby, warranting a thorough investigation. 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."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious.
World Rugby said it was also concerned by the social media abuse that both players have been subjected to this week.
"There is no place in rugby or society for discrimination, abuse or hate speech, and World Rugby urges fans to embrace the sport's values of respect, integrity and solidarity," it said.
Curry had accused Mbonambi of using discriminatory language in the first half of their semi-final at Stade de France last Sunday, which the South Africans won 16-15.
Curry asked the match referee, New Zealander Ben O'Keeffe, "If their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?"
O'Keefe replied, "Nothing, please."
Mbonambi is free to play in Sunday morning's World Cup final against the All Blacks.
Mbongeni Mbonambi of South Africa with the ball during the World Cup semi-final against England. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The news will be a relief to the South African team, with Mbonambi the only specialist hooker in the squad after they chose to replace the injured Malcolm Marx with first-five Handre Pollard.
'Deeply disappointed'
In a statement, England Rugby said it was "deeply disappointed" with the decision
"The RFU fully support Tom Curry in raising the racially abusive behaviour he experienced whilst playing for England against South Africa... The RFU are deeply disappointed by the decision taken by World Rugby...
"In their continued full support of Tom, the RFU together with the England Squad, condemn the disgusting abuse he and his family has received on social media as a result of his having had the courage to put unacceptable behaviour that has no place in society or on the rugby field, in the public eye.
"Abuse of any kind is not acceptable and goes against the core values of rugby. It is important that it is safe and acceptable for everyone involved in rugby union to raise concerns, and the RFU continue to encourage everyone to report any unacceptable behaviour in the game."
Springboks name team
The Springboks named their team this morning (NZT) and coach Jacques Nienaber said they were thankful to be able to focus on the final after World rugby concluded their investigation.
"We are fortunate in terms of support of a legal team and everybody who worked behind the scenes. We were shielded from it.
"We were in our bubble. For us we focused on rugby and that was taken care of in the background."
Nienaber has made five changes to his matchday 23 for the final from their one-point semi-final victory against England, with two in the starting XV and three on the bench.
Halfback Faf de Klerk and first-five Handre Pollard come into the run on XV in the only two changes to the starting line-up.
They replace Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok, who drop out of the 23 altogether.
South Africa have reverted to the 7-1 split of forwards and backs among the replacements that they used in the Pool B match against Ireland earlier in the tournament, with Jean Kleyn, Jasper Wiese and Trevor Nyakane, who replaces Vincent Koch, coming in.
1 Steven Kitshoff
2 Mbongeni Mbonambi
3 Frans Malherbe
4 Eben Etzebeth
5 Franco Mostert
6 Siya Kolisi (c)
7 Pieter-Steph Du Toit
8 Duane Vermeulen
9 Faf de Klerk
10 Handre Pollard
11 Cheslin Kolbe
12 Damian de Allende
13 Jesse Kriel
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
15 Damian Willemse
Replacements:
16 Deon Fourie
17 Ox Nche
18 Trevor Nyakane
19 Jean Kleyn
20 RG Snyman
21 Kwagga Smith
22 Jasper Wiese
23 Willie Le Roux
-RNZ