The South African hooker Bongi Mbonambi is coming under a bit of fire for his exchange with match day official Aimee Barrett-Theron. We thought it was fine, but others aren’t happy with the comments and the exchange below between referee and player.
🗣️ "Bongi was rude, at best, misogynistic at worst. Not a good look for a Springbok."
🇿🇦 Referee Aimee Barrett-Theron praised for her response to Bongi Mbonambi. https://t.co/eZpR5n0QbG
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 3, 2024
Bongi fugged up with Ref Aimee. He was wrong. Simple. On the same weekend he got some other attention as well. He may get a earful this week. I can’t wait for 17 November.
Well done to both. Bongi was out of line, she told him as much “in private” and he responded with more respect. Good result… But nooooooooo, let’s make this into colossal issue because it’s Bongi…
I’ve seen AWJ get more vocal with a ref than this. Owen Farrell even yelled at a ref. None of that ever got so much mileage on social media. Look at all these trolls coming out for Bongi when he was just being a captain. He is the captain. IT’S HIS JOB TO TALK TO THE REF!
Absolutely love this from referee Aimee Barrett-Theron. The way she commands respect from one of the most well known players in world rugby in Bongi Mbonambi is superb 👏 Aimee is a great referee who knows how to get captains to work with her! pic.twitter.com/ZJHurv8ng1
— Alex Lambe 🏉 (@RugbyLambo) March 3, 2024