SA sports minister backs Mbonambi amid World Cup controversy

South Africa’s sports minister has expressed support for rugby star Bongi Mbonambi, who was accused of using a racial slur towards England's Tom Curry during the World Cup semi-final last Saturday.

“Bongi Mbonambi is us. We support you Bongi, and the rest of the Springboks as you prepare for the World Cup final,” South African sports minister Zizi Kodwa posted on social media platform X.

Mbonambi, 32, is currently under investigation by international governing body World Rugby and the South African national rugby union team.

If investigations show Mbonambi used the slur, he could miss the final against New Zealand on Saturday, dealing a blow to Springboks in their pursuit of a historic fourth World Cup victory.

Many South Africans, including Mbonambi’s teammates, have come to his defence, suggesting the alleged slur may have been a mishearing of an Afrikaans phrase that sounds similar to the slur but carries a different meaning.