South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi will start Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand after a ruling there was “insufficient evidence” he used a racial slur towards Tom Curry.

After the Springboks beat England 16-15 in the semi-final last Saturday, England flanker Curry claimed he was abused.

The case has been closed unless further evidence emerges, according to World Rugby.

The decision not to charge Mbonambi has left England “deeply disappointed.”.

In the showpiece event in France, South Africa will face the All Blacks at 20:00 BST on Saturday.

Curry was also alleged to have been abused by Mbonambi during England’s match against South Africa last November, according to World Rugby’s investigation.

“Based on the evidence available, including match footage, audio and evidence from both teams, the governing body has determined that there is insufficient evidence to pursue charges,” World Rugby said.

World Rugby acknowledges that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and there is no suggestion that the allegations were malicious or deliberate.”

World Rugby’s decision not to put Curry’s evidence before an independent disciplinary panel “denied him the opportunity” to tell his story.

As a result of reporting the incident, the flanker has been subjected to online abuse, which England captain Owen Farrell referred to as “unacceptable”.

South Africa’s head coach Jacques Nienaber has named his most experienced team ever to face the All Blacks in Paris on Saturday.