The Stormers want Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi back on the field against Ulster in Cape Town on Saturday. The 35-year-old is still short of match fitness after a long time without a game.
The United Rugby Championship side has a shortage of fit hookers. Mbonambi could help from the replacement bench, and Vernon Paulo is the starting hooker.
“Bongi hasn’t played for a long time, that is the main concern,” Stormers coach John Dobson said. “We checked his skinfolds and things like that, so he’s in good shape, but he hasn’t trained.”
Timing is a big reason for the quick return. The Stormers are about to start a four-week break in the competition, so waiting would leave Mbonambi without a game for another month.
“That’s why we were so keen to get him back in as soon as possible,” Dobson said. “If Bongi doesn’t play now, it’ll be another four or five weeks before he plays again.”
Dobson said he was confident in the hooker’s throwing and scrummaging. He said learning the team’s lineout calls was the harder part, but the Stormers would not add an extra session for this. Mbonambi will have the midweek training and the captains’ practice.
The coach also said Mbonambi was not ready for a full match. “If Vernon were to go down in the third minute on Saturday and you asked Bongi to play 77 minutes of rugby, physically, that would be a challenge for him,” Dobson said. “But at least at set-piece time, he’ll be 100% fine.”
“I think he powers our team up a little bit,” Dobson added. “However, we can’t pretend he’s going to go all night.”
Mbonambi rejoined his former team after he and the Sharks ended his contract by mutual consent. He had been in a disciplinary dispute with the Durban side after he allegedly broke team rules.
Sharks coach JP Pietersen wished him well and said he also sent the hooker a WhatsApp message. “He is one of the best players, and can hopefully get back into the Springbok mix and play some good rugby,” Pietersen said.
A return to regular rugby could also help Mbonambi’s Springbok hopes ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. After the international window, the Stormers will play local derbies against the Sharks, Lions and Bulls.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.