World Rugby said Monday it had launched an official investigation into the allegation that South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at Tom Curry of England during the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Mbonambi, 32, is alleged to have called England backrow forward Curry "you white (followed by an expletive)" in the first half of Saturday's 16-15 victory.

"World Rugby takes all allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously," the sport's governing body said in a statement on Monday, five days before South Africa face New Zealand in the World Cup final.&nbsp;"We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday.

"World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the process."Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe about half an hour into the hard-fought match in Paris to report the alleged comment and asked what he should do in response.

"Nothing, please. I'll be on it," replied O'Keeffe.Curry was asked after the game whether Mbonambi, who also appeared to refuse to shake the England player's hand at the end of the match, had said something he had taken issue with.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba/news-boston-celtics-claw-out-impressive-win-against-philadelphia-76ers-despite-jayson-tatums-ejection-665350">Boston Celtics claw out impressive win against Philadelphia 76ers despite Jayson Tatum's ejection</a>

"Yeah," replied the 25-year-old, before adding that "it does not need to be talked about".South Africa Rugby said on Sunday they would look into the matter."We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously, and are reviewing the available evidence," it said."We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim."

England coach Steve Borthwick declined to comment on the matter on Sunday.Verbal abuse in rugby is rarely penalised, although England prop Joe Marler and South African Jacques Potgieter have been punished in the past. Marler received a two match-ban for remarks addressed to Wales's Samson Lee in 2016 and Potgieter was fined for an on-field homophobic slur in a Super Rugby game in 2015.The Springboks, though, will be nervously awaiting the outcome of World Rugby's investigation.

Mbonambi is the Springboks' only specialist hooker due to Malcom Marx's tournament-ending injury, although converted back row forward Deon Fourie has covered from the bench.They can therefore ill afford to be without Mbonambi, who was man of the match in the quarter-final win over hosts France, for Saturday's final against fellow three-time champions New Zealand at the Stade de France.

All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod acknowledged as such in a press conference on Monday."If anything came of that (World Rugby process) for them, I imagine that would be a massive dent for them," said McLeod."He is a leader of their team. When Siya (Kolisi) goes off, then he becomes captain. So I imagine that would really impact them."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

World Rugby said Monday it had launched an official investigation into the allegation that South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at Tom Curry of England during the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final.

World Rugby said Monday it had launched an official investigation into the allegation that South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi directed a racial slur at Tom Curry of England during the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. Mbonambi, 32, is alleged to have called England backrow forward Curry "you white (followed by an expletive)" in the first half of Saturday's 16-15 victory. "World Rugby takes all allegations of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously," the sport's governing body said in a statement on Monday, five days before South Africa face New Zealand in the World Cup final. "We can confirm that we are formally reviewing the allegation made by England’s Tom Curry in relation to the use of discriminatory language during the England versus South Africa Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-final on Saturday. "World Rugby will not be making further comment until the conclusion of the process."Curry approached referee Ben O'Keeffe about half an hour into the hard-fought match in Paris to report the alleged comment and asked what he should do in response. "Nothing, please. I'll be on it," replied O'Keeffe.Curry was asked after the game whether Mbonambi, who also appeared to refuse to shake the England player's hand at the end of the match, had said something he had taken issue with. Also Read: Boston Celtics claw out impressive win against Philadelphia 76ers despite Jayson Tatum's ejection "Yeah," replied the 25-year-old, before adding that "it does not need to be talked about".South Africa Rugby said on Sunday they would look into the matter."We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously, and are reviewing the available evidence," it said."We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim." England coach Steve Borthwick declined to comment on the matter on Sunday.Verbal abuse in rugby is rarely penalised, although England prop Joe Marler and South African Jacques Potgieter have been punished in the past. Marler received a two match-ban for remarks addressed to Wales's Samson Lee in 2016 and Potgieter was fined for an on-field homophobic slur in a Super Rugby game in 2015.The Springboks, though, will be nervously awaiting the outcome of World Rugby's investigation. Mbonambi is the Springboks' only specialist hooker due to Malcom Marx's tournament-ending injury, although converted back row forward Deon Fourie has covered from the bench.They can therefore ill afford to be without Mbonambi, who was man of the match in the quarter-final win over hosts France, for Saturday's final against fellow three-time champions New Zealand at the Stade de France. All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod acknowledged as such in a press conference on Monday."If anything came of that (World Rugby process) for them, I imagine that would be a massive dent for them," said McLeod."He is a leader of their team. When Siya (Kolisi) goes off, then he becomes captain. So I imagine that would really impact them." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World Rugby launches official investigation against Bongi Mbonnambi

Bhutan on Wednesday said it had given about 60 per cent of its entire population the first jab against Covid-19 since the Himalayan kingdom started an ambitious vaccination drive nine days ago.

The tiny nation wedged between India and China told AFP that 470,000 people out of 770,000 in total had been administered the first shot of a two-dose regime of the Covishield vaccine (Oxford Astrazeneca) donated by India.

Its rapid rollout puts Bhutan far ahead of other leading nations in reaching the 60-per cent mark, including Seychelles, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, according to AFP analysis.

When Bhutan's campaign launched on March 27, it set the speedy target of vaccinating 533,000 adults -- having excluded pregnant women, new mothers, people with certain health conditions and seriously ill patients -- in just one week.

However, the nation, famous for measuring gross national happiness, extended its deadline by several weeks.

A health ministry spokeswoman said that healthcare officers were now focusing on vaccinating those above 70 as well as disabled residents.&nbsp;

The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far.

Israel has set the world's leading pace per capita for vaccinations in a two-dose regime, having already given both shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to more than half of its population.

Bhutan on Wednesday said it had given about 60 per cent of its entire population the first jab against Covid-19 since the Himalayan kingdom started an ambitious vaccination drive nine days ago.

Bhutan on Wednesday said it had given about 60 per cent of its entire population the first jab against Covid-19 since the Himalayan kingdom started an ambitious vaccination drive nine days ago. The tiny nation wedged between India and China told AFP that 470,000 people out of 770,000 in total had been administered the first shot of a two-dose regime of the Covishield vaccine (Oxford Astrazeneca) donated by India. Its rapid rollout puts Bhutan far ahead of other leading nations in reaching the 60-per cent mark, including Seychelles, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, according to AFP analysis. When Bhutan's campaign launched on March 27, it set the speedy target of vaccinating 533,000 adults -- having excluded pregnant women, new mothers, people with certain health conditions and seriously ill patients -- in just one week. However, the nation, famous for measuring gross national happiness, extended its deadline by several weeks. A health ministry spokeswoman said that healthcare officers were now focusing on vaccinating those above 70 as well as disabled residents. The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far. Israel has set the world's leading pace per capita for vaccinations in a two-dose regime, having already given both shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to more than half of its population.

Rugby: South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi cleared to play in World Cup final versus New Zealand

England flanker Tom Curry was on Tuesday banned for two matches following his red card in last weekend's 27-10 Rugby World Cup victory over Argentina.

The 25-year-old was sent off just three minutes into the Pool D encounter in Marseille on Saturday for a head-on-head tackle.

"The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offence warranted a red card" the sport's governing body World Rugby said in a statement.

An independent disciplinary committee said the offence carries a minimum six-game suspension but found mitigating circumstances, including "an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character", which warranted a 50 percent reduction in the sanction.

That would have meant a three-game ban but World Rugby said Curry was able to reduce that to two matches by applying to take part in the body's Coaching Intervention Programme aimed at modifying tackle technique.

It means he will miss England's next two Pool D matches against Japan in Nice on Sunday and minnows Chile in Lille on September 23.

He will be available again to face Samoa in Lille on October 7.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/asia-cup-rohit-sharma-becomes-sixth-indian-to-complete-10000-odi-runs-during-ind-sl-super-four-clash-635230">Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma becomes sixth Indian to complete 10,000 ODI runs during Ind-SL Super Four clash</a>

Curry was initially yellow carded for the challenge on Argentina full-back Juan Cruz Mallia before it was upgraded to a red card by rugby's 'bunker' system.

It was his first match since he was injured in May's English Premiership final.

He was the third England player to be red-carded in their last four matches.

No.8 Billy Vunipola missed the Argentina match due to suspension after he was dismissed against Ireland in a pre-World Cup warm-up last month.

Fly-half Owen Farrell also missed the World Cup opener and will sit out England's next match against Japan too for his red card in a warm-up against Wales.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

England flanker Tom Curry was on Tuesday banned for two matches following his red card in last weekend's 27-10 Rugby World Cup victory over Argentina. The 25-year-old was sent off just three minutes into the Pool D encounter in Marseille on Saturday for a head-on-head tackle.

England flanker Tom Curry was on Tuesday banned for two matches following his red card in last weekend's 27-10 Rugby World Cup victory over Argentina. The 25-year-old was sent off just three minutes into the Pool D encounter in Marseille on Saturday for a head-on-head tackle. "The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offence warranted a red card" the sport's governing body World Rugby said in a statement. An independent disciplinary committee said the offence carries a minimum six-game suspension but found mitigating circumstances, including "an exemplary disciplinary record, apology to the player and good character", which warranted a 50 percent reduction in the sanction. That would have meant a three-game ban but World Rugby said Curry was able to reduce that to two matches by applying to take part in the body's Coaching Intervention Programme aimed at modifying tackle technique. It means he will miss England's next two Pool D matches against Japan in Nice on Sunday and minnows Chile in Lille on September 23. He will be available again to face Samoa in Lille on October 7. ALSO READ | Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma becomes sixth Indian to complete 10,000 ODI runs during Ind-SL Super Four clash Curry was initially yellow carded for the challenge on Argentina full-back Juan Cruz Mallia before it was upgraded to a red card by rugby's 'bunker' system. It was his first match since he was injured in May's English Premiership final. He was the third England player to be red-carded in their last four matches. No.8 Billy Vunipola missed the Argentina match due to suspension after he was dismissed against Ireland in a pre-World Cup warm-up last month. Fly-half Owen Farrell also missed the World Cup opener and will sit out England's next match against Japan too for his red card in a warm-up against Wales. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby World Cup: England's Tom Curry gets two-game ban over red card

tom-curry

Tom Curry, News on Tom Curry, stories on Tom Curry, articles on Tom Curry, Tom Curry stories at Wion, Tom Curry news, Tom Curry latest news

tom curry

World Rugby launches official investigation against Bongi Mbonnambi

Rugby: South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi cleared to play in World Cup final versus New Zealand

Rugby World Cup: England's Tom Curry gets two-game ban over red card