Tom Curry revisits ‘unfortunate’ Bongi Mbonambi World Cup ‘wit kant’ saga ahead of fiery reunion

Tom Curry admits he already has one eye on a potentially fiery reunion with South Africa and Bongi Mbonambi when the sides clash at Twickenham in November.

England will begin their autumn internationals against New Zealand before facing Australia, current world champions South Africa and Japan.

Tom Curry-Bongi Mbonambi feud

Sale and Red Rose flanker Curry, 26, will hope to feature in the series as England take on the Springboks for the first time since last year’s World Cup semi-final.

South Africa won 16-15 in Paris but the encounter was overshadowed by a row which saw Mbonambi accuse England of being “unprofessional” over allegations that he racially abused Curry during the game.

World Rugby found “insufficient evidence” to back up Curry’s claim, made to referee Ben O’Keeffe, that he was called a “white c**t” by the Springboks hooker midway through the first half of the match.

Mbonambi said the “misunderstanding” arose because Curry failed to realise he was speaking Afrikaans [saying “wit kant”], a common practice among the Springboks to ensure opponents do not understand their messages.

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When asked if he would like to face the Springboks at Twickenham on November 16, Curry said: “Anytime you get to play against South Africa, you’re so lucky.

“I love playing against South Africa. I’ve said what I need to say, I think it’s unfortunate what has happened, but it is what it is.

“If you get to play against South Africa, obviously I’d love to.

“It’d be a hell of a test, they’re looking really good, and I couldn’t think of a better game to get involved in if I get the chance.”

Quizzed as to whether he would shake hands with Springboks hooker Mbonambi if they were both playing in the game, Curry replied diplomatically: “I’m not answering that.”

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Repaying the faith

Sale boss Alex Sanderson had cautioned against Curry going on tour with England to Japan and New Zealand this summer as he continued his recovery from a career-threatening hip injury.

Yet Curry, fit again after hip surgery, was delighted to be picked by Red Rose chief Steve Borthwick and said of his inclusion: “It meant everything. To have that trust was good.

“To have the Sale players around and see them grow in that environment was really cool.

“It was crazy, I walked in and it felt like England under-20s again. It was really fun to be a part of.

“In terms of being able to have that confidence from Steve and the coaches, it was massive.

“I missed a bit of the World Cup at the start, played a bit, then missed the Six Nations.

“I just want to repay him by getting myself fit, staying fit, and playing as well as I can really.”

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Excitement

Curry is universally regarded as a world-class flanker and admits he also has sights fixed on a place in the British & Irish Lions squad for next year’s tour of Australia.

However, he also stressed the importance of playing well for Sale first and foremost ahead of Sunday’s Premiership opener at home to Harlequins.

Curry added: “In terms of that mentality going into games now it’s just day, day, play the game at the weekend and then we will go from there.

“I think for me there is so much right now to enjoy and it feels like the season has come around pretty quickly to be fair any way.

“Honestly, I am just excited to get back playing at Sale.

“I feel like I haven’t done it for a while. I want to put my best foot forward.”

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