what did bongi mbonambi say

Here’s the situation in plain terms, based on what’s publicly reported about “what did Bongi Mbonambi say?” in recent controversies.

Quick Scoop: Why People Asked “What Did Bongi Mbonambi Say?”

People started asking this after England flanker Tom Curry told the referee during the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi‑final that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi had used a racist slur towards him. The alleged comment was not clearly picked up on broadcast audio, which is why there has been so much debate and confusion.

• Curry reported that Mbonambi called him a racist name during the England vs South Africa semi‑final on 21 October 2023.

• A further allegation surfaced about a similar remark in a previous England vs South Africa match in November 2022.

• World Rugby opened an investigation into whether discriminatory language was used.

World Rugby later announced there was “insufficient evidence” to proceed with any charges against Mbonambi, meaning they did not formally establish what was said or that a racist term had definitively been used.

What Did Mbonambi Himself Say About It?

Mbonambi has consistently denied using a racist slur and says the issue came from a language misunderstanding.

In an interview, he explained that he had been speaking Afrikaans, as Springbok players often do on the field so opponents cannot easily understand their calls.

• He said the situation was “very sad” and suggested that assuming everyone speaks only English is a problem.

• He stated that he never racially swore at Curry.

• He described the whole thing as a misunderstanding that he was glad World Rugby had handled and that, for him, it was “in the past now.”

Importantly, he has not publicly repeated the exact phrase on record, so we do not have an official, verbatim version of what he says he said, only his insistence that it was Afrikaans and not a racial insult.

What Did the Investigation Decide?

World Rugby’s formal review looked at match footage, audio recordings, and statements from both teams.

• They concluded there was not enough evidence to prosecute or sanction Mbonambi.

• That ruling allowed him to play in the World Cup final against New Zealand.

This outcome doesn’t “prove” either side’s exact wording; it just means the governing body could not confidently say a discriminatory term was used under their regulations.

Other Recent “What Did He Say?” Clips

There has also been a separate, more recent viral clip involving Mbonambi and a referee, which added to people googling “what did Bongi Mbonambi say.”

• In early 2024, a short video of Mbonambi’s heated interaction with referee Aimee Barrett‑Theron during a United Rugby Championship match went viral.

• After backlash, he issued a public apology via his club (the Sharks), calling his conduct “disrespectful” and apologising to the referee.

Again, the exact full wording from that moment wasn’t officially transcribed in detail for the public; the focus was on his tone and behaviour, and he apologised for that.

How Forums and Fans Talk About It

Online forums and social media have been very split, which is why this stays a trending topic.

• Some users strongly believe Curry’s version and say rugby must be strict on any racist language, even if evidence is thin.

• Others argue that things were “lost in translation,” that Afrikaans calls can be misheard, and that World Rugby’s “insufficient evidence” decision should settle it.

• There’s also discussion about how both Curry and Mbonambi received online abuse after the story broke, which many commentators in rugby have condemned.

Because no clear, agreed‑on audio of the exact phrase has been made public and the investigation closed without charges, the precise words remain contested rather than definitively established.

Bottom Line: So, What Did He “Say”?

If you’re looking for a simple answer to “what did Bongi Mbonambi say”:

• Tom Curry alleges Mbonambi used a racist slur on the field.

• Mbonambi says he spoke Afrikaans and denies using any racist language.

• World Rugby investigated and ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove discriminatory language was used.

• The exact phrase has not been officially confirmed in public records, which is why you’ll see different claims in forum discussions and media commentary.

Note:
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.