Tom Curry’s club Sale Sharks condemn the ‘disgusting abuse’ and backlash the flanker’s received since alleging South Africa star Bongi Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’ in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat

• Sale Sharks said they were ‘appalled at the nature and level of disgusting abuse’
• The England flanker has received death threats and abuse on social media 
• Tom Curry accused Bongi Mbonambi of calling him a ‘white c***’ in their match’ 
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

Sale Sharks have hit out at the ‘disgusting abuse’ directed at Tom Curry on social media after he was racially abused in Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa. 

The flanker alleged he was called a ‘white c***’ by Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi in the first half of the match and World Rugby is now investigating the matter.

Curry has been subjected to online threats since he made the allegation and South African fans have claimed that Mbonambi could have been speaking in Africaans.

‘Sale Sharks’ owners, players, coaches and staff are absolutely appalled by the nature and level of disgusting abuse directed at Tom Curry and his family in relation to an incident in the England v South Africa World Cup semi-final,’ Sale Sharks wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

‘Everyone at the club stands fully and proudly behind Tom and we look forward to welcoming him back to Carrington.’

Sale Sharks defended Tom Curry and called the online abuse towards him ‘disgusting’ 

Curry said that South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’ in the semi-final

Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson told the Telegraph: ‘I don’t understand how what someone does on the rugby field causes them to receive threats.

‘It is disgusting. It is out of order. I am not on social media for this very reason.’

England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said on Tuesday that Curry’s team-mates would have ‘got round him’ and added: ‘I’m sure he’s getting every bit of support that he needs.

‘I’m not sure you can ever put yourself in those shoes and know that feeling. What I do know is he’s an impressive young man who, if selected on Friday [for the third-place play-off match against Argentina], will pour everything into that England shirt as he has done on the previous 49 occasions.’

In England’s dramatic 15-16 loss to South Africa, Curry approached referee Ben O’Keeffe in the 28th minute of the match, and is heard to say over the ref mic: ‘Sir, sir, if their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?’ 

O’Keeffe replied: ‘Nothing, please.’

After the final whistle, there was a noticeable altercation between Curry and Mbonambi, who appeared to refuse to shake the England forward’s hand and marched off down the tunnel.

It was confirmed on Monday that the English Rugby Football Union had lodged an official complaint about the incident, prompting World Rugby to open an investigation.

A statement released today by World Rugby – the global governing body – said: ‘World Rugby takes allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously.

The flanker asked referee Ben O’Keeffe: ‘When their hooker calls me a white c***, what do I do?’

Mbonambi played the full 80 minutes at No 2 for the Springboks’ win on Saturday

Supporters suggested he was saying ‘wit kant’, which translates in Afrikaans as ‘white side’

‘We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday.

‘World Rugby will not be making any further comment until the conclusion of the process.’

Mail Sport understands that the RFU lodged a complaint with the tournament authorities, in relation to the alleged outburst by Mbonambi.

Some supporters in South Africa believe Mbonambi had been misheard and may have been speaking in Afrikaans. The Springboks often speak Afrikaans to hide their plans from opponents. 

Their fans suggest the hooker may have been saying ‘wit kant’ – which translates to ‘white side’ – indicating the colour England were playing in on the day. 

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