Career lifeline for discarded Springbok?

It’s been a challenging period for double World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi, who has fallen out of the mix at Springbok level, and most recently also been iced out at the Sharks.

A big part of the reason for his decline has been due to injuries, but there have been more than just whispers of off-field issues.

Since the start of the new URC season, Mbonambi has been fit and available, but it has emerged that his contract at the Sharks was under threat due to a misconduct issue.

The 35-year-old was excluded from the Sharks’ touring group currently playing overseas, and while the team was away, a potential solution for all parties has materialised.

Springbok and Sharks veteran set to join Stormers

According to Rugby365, Stormers director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed that the World Cup-winning hooker is set to return to Cape Town.

Not only does it make sense for the Sharks and Mbonambi to part ways after the recent fallout, but it’s also a clever bit of business for the Stormers after enduring an injury crisis at hooker.

Deon Fourie (hamstring injury), André-Hugo Venter (elbow injury) and Lukhanyo Vokozela (head knock) are all unavailable for the Cape club, and JJ Kotzé is still suspended.

As a result of these injuries, Scarra Ntubeni has come out of retirement, but the Stormers’ stocks at hooker will soon be boosted by the return of Mbonambi.

Cape comeback

Mbonambi is, of course, no stranger to Cape Town as he represented the Stormers and Western Province from 2015 to 2021, earning over 100 caps in all competitions.

Since then, the Springbok stalwart has been with the Sharks, but he could now return to the Mother City as early as this week.