BONGI MBONAMBI is free to play for South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final.
That is despite accusations from England's Tom Curry that the hooker used a racial slur during Saturday's semi-final.
The Springboks booked their place in this weekend's final against New Zealand with a 16-15 win in Paris.
Mbonambi is under investigation amid a probe from World Rugby into Curry's claim he called him a "white c**t" during the match.
But it has emerged that a potential defence could be that Curry misunderstood a comment made by Mbonambi in Afrikaans.
He could have used the term “wit kant” – meaning “white side” in Afrikaans – to tell team-mates that the ball was on the English side of the ruck.
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Despite the investigation, Mbonambi is clear to face the All Blacks at the Stade de France.
The Daily Mail report that no decision is expected until the tournament has ended, despite calls for the Sharks man to be banned for the final.
Following Curry's accusations, SA Rugby released a statement reading: "We are aware of the allegation, which we take very seriously and are reviewing the available evidence.
"We will engage with Bongi if anything is found to substantiate the claim."
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A look at what Bongi Mbonambi allegedly said to Tom Curry
2As for the England flanker, he is set to start Friday's third-place play-off against Argentina.
Curry has been named in the England XV by head coach Steve Borthwick for their clash with the Pumas.
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