South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi will start against New Zealand in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final after a ruling there was “insufficient evidence” he used a racial slur towards Tom Curry.
But governing body World Rugby added that the England flanker had made the allegation in good faith.
The Rugby Football Union says it is “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
Curry said he was abused during last Saturday’s semi-final, in which South Africa beat England 16-15.