Did Bongi just follow Rassie's example?

REACTION: Springbok hooker Mbongeni Mbonabi has come under fire for his comments towards English referee Matthew Carley in South Africa’s 63-21 demolition of Italy at the weekend.

Mbonambi could be heard telling Carley to ‘ref both sides’.

It resulted in many online pundits drawing a line directly to outspoken Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who was banned for two matches after posting videos online about refereeing decisions.

Bongi telling the ref to ‘ref both sides.’ Where would he have got that idea from? 🤔 Really not a good look from Boks.

— Craig Ray (@craigray11) November 19, 2022

Irish rugby journalist Andy McGeady wrote: “Now a springbok is being spoken to by the referee for having told the ref “to referee both sides”. It really would be nice if the… *checks notes*… reigning World Cup champions could just stop with the victimhood.”

Now a springbok is being spoken to by the referee for having told the ref “to referee both sides”.

It really would be nice if the… *checks notes*… reigning World Cup champions could just stop with the victimhood.#ITAvRSA

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 19, 2022

Dead Ball Area wrote: “South Africa’s discipline is atrocious. For a player to stand up and say “ref both sides”. It is so weird because SA have traditionally been super disciplined. But Le Roux, Bongi Mbonambi all huge mouths on them… not the way to get a ref on your side.”

South Africas discipline is atrocious. For a player to stand up and say “ref both sides”. 😔

It is so weird because SA have traditionally been super disciplined.

But Le Roux, Bongi Mbonambi all huge mouths on them… not the way to get a ref on your side.

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— thedeadballarea (@thedeadballarea) November 19, 2022

“I do believe I just heard Bongi telling the ref to “referee both sides”. This culture of ref blaming is permeating the side. Slippery slope this Rassie,” observed another.

I do believe I just heard Bongi telling the ref to “referee both sides”. This culture of ref blaming is permeating the side. Slippery slope this Rassie.

— Mark Ellis (@Mellis_007) November 19, 2022

While some were criticising the comments from Bongi, many other South African accounts were against suggesting that Springboks were the victims of some kind of ongoing conspiracy.

“Amazingly, no re-play from your Italian broadcasting partner for the late tackle on Willie LeRoux or the hit on Bongi Mbonambi?,” wrote one poster, apparently referencing the idea that even host broadcasters are trying to undermine the Springboks.

Amazingly, no re-play from your Italian broadcasting partner for the late tackle on Willie LeRoux or the the hit on Bongi Mbonambi? #Springboks

— Marguerite Doig Gander 🇿🇦 (@margieMYDNA) November 19, 2022

While the South African Rugby Union has remained mum, despite several attempts by @rugby365comto get a reaction, messages have been flying around the world demanding ‘explanations’.

Erasmus was slapped with a two-match ban last Thursday, after a firestorm erupted over the 2019 World Cup-winning coach’s social media activity.