South Africa have rallied round Bongi Mbonambi while the hooker sweats on his place in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand.
The Springboks hailed the 32-year-old as a “great character”, in the wake of England’s Tom Curry accusing him of using a racial slur in the semi-final.
World Rugby are investigating Curry’s allegation that Mbonambi called him a “white c***” in South Africa’s 16-15 win over England in Paris on Saturday.
Bosses at the global governing body want the investigation completed as quickly as possible. Mbonambi has been preparing as normal for Saturday’s final, but uncertainty remains while the investigation continues.
“He’s a great character,” said Springboks forwards coach Daan Human. “He’s down to earth, a very humble guy. He’s definitely a guy I would love to have in my team, in our team. All I can say about him is that he’s a great guy.
"Bongi has been part of this group for more than six years, he started in the last World Cup and he started in the semi-final, so he is very important.
"He is one of the leaders in our group. I know his kids, my kids always look after his kids when they come to the hotel. He is a very calm guy, very well-spoken.”
The Springboks would not be able to call up a replacement for Mbonambi should he be suspended.
Mbonambi’s importance to the Boks has grown since a knee injury cut Malcolm Marx’s tournament short. South Africa replaced Marx with fit-again fly-half Handre Pollard, the man who landed the winning penalty against England.
Veteran Deon Fourie has stepped up in Marx’s absence and covers both hooker and back row from the bench. Mbonambi played the entire semi-final on Saturday, with Fourie sent on in the back row as South Africa chased down England’s nine-point lead.
South Africa also have Marco van Staden in their squad, the former Leicester flanker who can also cover hooker and has been training in the front row throughout the World Cup.
New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod said any suspension for Mbonambi would be a significant blow for the Boks.
“If anything came of it, it would be a massive dent for them,” said McLeod. “He is a leader of their team. When Siya (Kolisi) goes off, he becomes captain so I would imagine it would impact them.”
