South Africa captain Siya Kolisi addresses online abuse of England's Tom Curry

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has reached out to England flanker Tom Curry this week following abuse and threats he received online.

The 25-year-old was the subject of online attacks this week after his allegation that he was racially by South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi during the World Cup semi-final.

World Rugby ended its investigation on Thursday, saying there is “insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges,” and Mbonambi was selected to start for the Springboks in the World Cup final against the All Blacks soon after.

Springbok attack coach Felix Jones speaks about the importance of a sound kicking game in wet weather in the World Cup Final

Springbok attack coach Felix Jones speaks about the importance of a sound kicking game in wet weather in the World Cup Final

Following the team announcement, the Springboks’ captain said that the team are “supporting” the Englishman and “thinking of him”, and that he has spoken to him this week.

“I have spoken to him,” Kolisi said.

“I sent him a message. He is someone I respect.

“We can take it as players, when it comes to you it’s fine, but when families are involved it’s different.

“I have let him know we are supporting him, we are thinking of him.”

Despite the online abuse he has received this week, as well as the focus on the investigation, Curry has still been selected to start in England’s bronze final match against Argentina on Friday. England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth explained that the squad have fully supported during this trying situation.

“I know the players would have got round him,” he said. “Steve [Borthwick] and the management team have been all over it. I’m sure he is getting every bit of support he needs.”

Wigglesworth also added how the squad have not let the investigation be a distraction this week. He said: “We get stuck into our prep for Argentina. The process is the process. We have no knowledge of how long that is going to go on for on the outcome. Every week there is always some sort of thing you could be distracted by. This is international rugby, there is lots of noise around it. This distraction is different but it’s still noise that isn’t about Friday night.”