Stormers boss: Sharks ‘expedited’ Bongi’s release

After five years at the Sharks, Bongi Mbonambi’s time at the Durban club has come to an abrupt end amid reports of a disciplinary issue, and after a period in which the misconduct allegation saw him being stood down from action.

Despite these circumstances, the Stormers swooped in this week to sign Mbonambi on a one-year deal in order to help combat an injury crisis at hooker.

Mbonambi has been brought straight into the Stormers team for this Saturday’s URC clash against Ulster, and Stormers boss John Dobson said they had no issue with this quick turnaround, nor were they fazed by his recent issues at the Sharks.

“It was common knowledge that Bongi’s relationship with the Sharks was coming to an end and we had a problem at hooker,” Dobson told media on Wednesday.

“I gave Bongi a ring and said, ‘if you do finish with the Sharks, would you be interested in coming to us?’

“There were some other conversations around Bongi’s future over the next few months and what his aspirations were about getting back into the national team. He said he’d love to.

“The Sharks expedited things and signed the release so that he could come and play for us. It was just good timing.”

Bongi returns to former team

Mbonambi earned 74 Stormers caps between 2015 and 2021, and Dobson said they were confident he would fit back in easily.

“I worked with Bongi for quite a few years at the Stormers. There were high levels of trust and professionalism. I worked with him in the Baa-Baas as well. I can’t speak to what happened at the Sharks, but our experience with Bongi has been extremely positive.

“It’s not a long-term contract. He’s really coming in as injury cover. He’s in good physical shape but he hasn’t trained,” he said. “That’s why we were so anxious to rush him in, for want of a better phrase.

“We’re going into a three- or four-week break so if Bongi doesn’t play now, it’s going to be another four or five weeks before he plays again. I don’t think that’s ideal. Hookers are diesel – they need to scrum, they need to maul.

“We have to get him back on the field to accelerate that journey.”

HOW THE STORMERS WILL LINE UP THIS WEEKEND

Stormers: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Seabelo Senatla, 13 Ruhan Nel (captain), 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 JD Schickerling, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Riley Norton, 20 Connor Evans, 21 Wandile Mlaba, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Wandisile Simelane.