Bongi Mbonambi leaves Sharks for Stormers

He could be back in action on Saturday against Ulster.

Bongi Mbonambi has switched provinces mid-season. The Sharks announced that the 35-year-old hooker and the club had agreed to end his contract with immediate effect, and the Stormers confirmed on Wednesday that he is returning to Cape Town on a one-year deal.

An amicable split

In their statement dated 27 October, the Sharks spoke of “constructive discussions” and a decision “reached on amicable terms”, without explicitly linking the termination to a disciplinary matter. Planet Rugby and RugbyPass report, however, that it follows a disciplinary dispute: during a team-building camp, the double world champion is said to have ignored one of head coach JP Pietersen’s rules on one of the evenings, prompting the club to start a process that could have led to his contract being terminated. “Bongi is a Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok whose contribution to South African rugby speaks for itself,” said Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans.

Mbonambi leaves Durban after five seasons and 60 appearances for the Sharks, with 20 tries. He has not played a minute this season. His last appearance came on 17 January in the 50-12 Champions Cup win over Clermont, before a spell troubled by back and knee injuries. He is not in Rassie Erasmus’ squad for the November tour.

Emergency return to Cape Town

The Stormers are bringing him in amid a hooker crisis: André-Hugo Venter, Deon Fourie, Lukhanyo Vokozela, Almero Keizer and Luca Bakkes are all injured and JJ Kotzé is suspended. “We have been hit hard with both injuries and suspension to our hookers, so we are delighted to welcome Bongi back to the fold,” said director of rugby John Dobson. Mbonambi made 74 appearances for the club between 2015 and 2021 and won his first Springbok cap while there. “This club is in a great space and I want to do all I can to contribute to the cause,” he said.

Available immediately, he is set to feature on Saturday when Ulster visit the DHL Stadium (12.45pm UK time) in the URC. The fixture list also holds a special date: the Stormers travel to Durban to face the Sharks on 5 December.

For the Springboks, Mbonambi has more than 80 caps and started both of the World Cup finals South Africa won, against England in 2019 (32-12) and New Zealand in 2023 (12-11).