By Lucky Vince Pienaar
Who can ever forget Bongi Mbonambi’s ever-so-innocent call that got Tom Curry ranting to the referee about racism? And we all know that he was merely referring to the team, not an individual.
In Afrikaans “wit kant” merely means the white side. Tom Curry, in the heat of a World Cup semifinal, heard something different.
It’s in the history books that Bongi was right and Curry was wrong and despite long-lasting howls of protest from anybody with a Red Rose on his or her chest, the matter is now buried.
Or so it seems because Bongi has taken another swipe at the England rugby team.
In a clip released from the much-anticipated series, Chasing the Sun 2, Vincent Koch, Bongi and Ox Nche talk about playing England at the World Cup.
England, as we well remember, got an important scrum and celebrated loudly — as rugby players do.
But Bongi had a different take.
“After the knock-on, they were celebrating. It’s plastic energy when you try to get energy by just shouting,” Bongii said.
But then, smiling slyly, he added: “You just got a scrum and then you have to scrum against us.”
There was a moment on the field in last Saturday’s match where the hapless Sharks fell apart against the Lions.
What had gone before is not known, but referee Aimee Barrett-Theron called Bongi, the Sharks hooker, to one side.
“Listen, I fully respect you and who you are,” she said.
“I am well aware that all of your players have probably played more games than I have refereed in the URC. But we are in the same field so if you could show me the same respect that I show you, that would be very much appreciated.”
Did Bongi acknowledge her logical and conciliatory statement? It certainly didn’t look like it. He didn’t acknowledge what she said and spoke about the refereeing decision instead.
He has since come out to say that his frustration stemmed from the intensity of the game and the team’s desire to perform.
He said he felt “absolutely no disrespect” towards Barrett-Theron but he certainly chose a hell of a way of showing it.
Sure, tempers flare on the field, and Bongi can do what he wants with Tom Curry and even the entire England team, but Barrett-Theron deserves better.
Pictured above: Bongi Mbonambi.
Image source: X
