PARIS (AP) – South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi was picked to play in the Rugby World Cup final after World Rugby found no evidence he racially abused England player Tom Curry in their semi-final last weekend.
England’s rugby union stood by Curry’s allegation and claimed Mbonambi also directed discriminatory remarks at Curry in a match last year.
Mbonambi was selected by the Springboks yesterday for the World Cup final against New Zealand tomorrow.
His participation could have been jeopardised if he’d been found guilty of misconduct.
An investigation was opened by rugby’s governing body after Curry, who is white, complained of being the subject of a discriminatory remark from Mbonambi, who is Black, during South Africa’s close 16-15 win last weekend at Stade de France.
