Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi has left the Sharks with immediate effect and will return to the Stormers in a surprise move following an investigation into his conduct.
The 35-year-old, who helped South Africa win the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023, is set to return to Cape Town ahead of this weekend's United Rugby Championship (URC) action, with Stormers director of rugby John Dobson confirming the transfer. He is expected to report for duty on Wednesday.
Investigation into misconduct
Mbonambi spent six seasons with the Stormers before joining the Sharks in 2021, but his future in Durban had been uncertain for several weeks following allegations of misconduct during a pre-season team-building trip.
According to reports in South Africa, the hooker was at the centre of an internal disciplinary process after allegedly breaching team protocols during a camp at Bayala Private Safari Lodges. Afrikaans newspaper Rapport reported that players had been given permission to socialise on the Tuesday evening but were expected to follow instructions from head coach JP Pietersen regarding their return to training.
Incident on team-building trip
Mbonambi was alleged to have breached those instructions. The Sharks subsequently left him out of training and matchday squads, despite reports that he was fit to play.
Another senior Springbok, Trevor Nyakane, was also reportedly involved in a breach of protocols, although Rapport suggested he could avoid more serious punishment because he was not present at the meeting in which Pietersen outlined the team's expectations.
Pietersen declined to discuss Mbonambi's absence when questioned at a Sharks media conference on October 8. “Bongi is obviously not up for selection. There’s no comment about Bongi,” he said.
Return to Cape Town
Mbonambi's departure brings an end to his latest spell with the Sharks, with the veteran hooker now returning to familiar surroundings at the Stormers.
He has won 82 caps for South Africa and remains one of the country's most experienced players, having played a prominent role in their back-to-back World Cup triumphs. His return to Cape Town offers a fresh start after a difficult period in Durban, and boosts his chances of returning to the Springboks set-up ahead of next year's World Cup.
