Sharks provide grim update on Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi

Sharks provide grim update on Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi

Springboks hooker Mbongeni 'Bongi' Mbonambi walks off injured during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris.

Head coach John Plumtree has stated that Bongi Mbonambi, a hooker for the Springboks, may not play for the Sharks the remainder of the season.

Mbonambi was destined for a prolonged absence from the field after being forced off the field in the first few minutes of South Africa vs. New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup final.

The hooker, who was concussed in the 2019 championship game against England, has now been injured in the first half of a final twice.

Sharks without Mbonambi

Following their triumphant World Cup championship defense in France, the Springboks concluded their trophy tour by coming home to South Africa. In December, they will formally return to their individual teams.

John Plumtree, general manager of the Sharks, however, has stated that Mbonambi and tighthead prop Vincent Koch would not quickly return.

In response to a question from reporters regarding his communication with his Bok players over their emotional state, Plumtree made a jest, saying, “Well, I guess the main thing for me is hopefully they’ve sobered up to know what injuries they have.”

“I’m laughing, but to the best of my knowledge, only Vincent Koch and Bongi have real injuries; they both have knee issues.

“Vincent will be back in three months, but Bongi might be away for a while longer. Perhaps this is the season.”

The Sharks, who have dropped their first four games of the season under their new head coach, are suffering a serious blow.

Although the squad has other options in Danie Jooste, Kerron van Vuuren, and Fez Mbatha, Scotland international Dylan Richardson has returned to hooker from the back-row this season since Mbonambi was out.

Getting their Springboks back

“The rest are all good to go,” Plumtree added.

“Eben [Etzebeth] is excited about it, and I’ve left them alone because it’s crucial that they don’t receive a call from me just now because they don’t want to hear from me yet. However, they will hear from me the following week.”

We’ll bring them back in and assess their individual status. I believe that’s not just a physical issue, but also an emotional one. After such a high, they’ll always have different emotional states when they reintegrate into a union, franchise, or club, so we’ll just need to gauge how they’re feeling. That may also influence how we integrate them back.

In their first home game of the 2023–24 URC season, the Sharks take on the Irish province Connacht in an attempt to win their first game of the season.

When they play the Bulls in December and their next Challenge Cup matches, they should have Makazole Mapimpi, Lukhanyo Am, Etzebeth, Grant Williams, and Jaden Hendrikse back.

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