England loose forward Tom Curry has revisited the incident between himself and Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi at last year’s Rugby World Cup.
During the semi-final that was won by the Springboks, Curry approached the referee and said he had been called a “white c**t“ by the hooker.
An investigation was launched, which threatened Mbonambi’s participation in the final against New Zealand.
After a number of claims that what Curry had heard was lost in translation, Mbonambi was cleared following an investigation by World Rugby, and was given the green light to play in the final.
Mbonambi was then forced off the field with an injury two minutes into the final as the Springboks went on to defeat the All Blacks 12-11 to win a record fourth Rugby World Cup crown.
This week, in a lengthy interview with the UK’s Daily Mail, Curry doubled down on his claim that he had been racially abused by the Springbok.
“I heard what I heard. That’s all I really want to say about it and I won’t really be talking about it again. It was tough for my family, my girlfriend and my brother,” he was quoted by the Daily Mail.
“It was a tough experience but it is what it is. The investigation’s been done and that’s all I want to say about it.”
The two teams will get a rematch when they go head-to-head in London in two months time. And it’s a game that Curry was looking forward to.
“I have said what I need to say. I think it’s unfortunate what has happened, but it is what it is. But if you get to play against South Africa, obviously I’d love to – it would just be a hell of a Test. They are looking really good and I couldn’t think of a better game to get involved in if I get the chance.”
And when asked if he’d shake Mbonambi’s hand should they find themselves on the pitch together, Curry said: “I’m not answering that.”
What Mbonambi had to say on the incident
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa after the Springboks’ return home, Mbonambi labelled England as "unprofessional" after Curry’s allegations.
Mbonambi said the incident arose because Curry failed to realise he was speaking Afrikaans, a common practice among the Springboks to ensure opponents do not understand their messages.
"I think it is a very sad thing when you live in a first world country (England), you think the rest of the world speaks English,“ the hooker said at the time.
"It was unprofessional on their part. They could have gone on a website and looked for an English dictionary and looked for the word in Afrikaans.
"People understood (in South Africa), but obviously their side was misunderstood."
IOL Sport, additional reporting by AFP