Bongi Mbonambi LIMPS OFF in the World Cup final within four minutes – just days after the South African hooker was cleared to play having being at the centre of a race storm
- South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi was involved in a race storm this week
- England flanker Tom Curry had alleged Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’
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South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi was forced off in the World Cup final after just four minutes with an injury.
Mbonambi has been at the centre of a race storm this week after England flanker Tom Curry claimed he had called him a ‘white c***’ during South Africa’s 16-15 victory over the Red Rose in the semi-final last Saturday.
The Springbok hooker was subsequently cleared to play in the final after a World Rugby investigation into the incident concluded that there was insufficient evidence to take action.
This decision led to a furious response from the RFU, who couldn’t quite believe Mbonambi had escaped punishment.
However, despite starting Saturday’s showpiece event at the Stade de France, Mbonambi was unable to continue after being cleared out by New Zealand’s Shannon Frizzell.
Bongi Mbonambi was forced off in the World Cup final for South Africa after just four minutes
New Zealand’s Shannon Frizzell – who was sin-binned – landed awkwardly on Mbonambi’s leg
It came after Mbonambi entered a ruck to challenge for the ball.
However, at the breakdown, Frizzell made no attempt to roll away and instead seemed to grab the 32-year-old’s neck and drag the South African away before he landed awkwardly on the back of his leg.
After a TMO review, Wayne Barnes showed Frizzell the yellow card with a bunker review taking place to decide whether to upgrade it to a red card.
Referee JP Doyle had told ITV at the time: ‘I’d be very twitchy if I was Frizell now as the first directive is to protect the players.
England’s Tom Curry alleged Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’, but the hooker was cleared after a World Rugby investigation concluded there was insufficient evidence to take action
It is the second successive World Cup final that Mbonambi has been forced off with injury from
‘What we want to get is if there has been a deliberate action. We’ll look at all the angles.’
However, Frizzell was ultimately spared a red card and returned after his sin bin.
South Africa did note to Barnes that Mbonambi coming off was a tactical substitute, meaning if he is fit enough, he will be able to return to the pitch later in the game.
Nevertheless, it is the second successive World Cup final that Mbonambi has been forced off with injury from, with the hooker also replaced after just 21 minutes due to injury when they beat England in 2019.
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