Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi is leaving the Sharks with immediate effect and will rejoin the Stormers in Cape Town ahead of this weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) fixtures.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson confirmed the surprise move on Tuesday, 27 October. The 35-year-old is expected to report for duty on Wednesday.
Mbonambi spent six seasons with the Stormers before moving to the Sharks in 2021. He has won two Rugby World Cups with the Springboks.
His return follows several weeks of uncertainty about his future in Durban. Mbonambi faced allegations of misconduct after a Sharks pre-season team-building camp, with earlier reports claiming he had breached rules set by head coach JP Pietersen.
The Sharks then omitted him from training and matchday squads, despite reports that he was fit to play.
Pietersen refused to discuss the player’s absence at a Sharks media conference on 8 October.
“Bongi is obviously not up for selection. There’s no comment about Bongi,” he said, according to SA Rugby Magazine.
Neither the Sharks nor the Stormers has disclosed the terms of Mbonambi’s departure or details of his new agreement.
Stormers suffer hooker shortage
Mbonambi’s move comes after the Stormers lost three hooker options during their 52-40 victory over the Scarlets on Saturday.
Andre-Hugo Venter was forced off with an injury, Lukhanyo Vokozela suffered a head knock and Deon Fourie sustained a hamstring injury.
The Stormers are also without JJ Kotze, who is serving a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle against Bristol Bears.
The injuries and suspension left the side short of options in the position and led to the club recalling retired hooker Scarra Ntubeni to training this week.
Skills coach Labeeb Levy said Vernon Paulo, Altus Rabe and Ntubeni were preparing for Saturday’s meeting with Ulster.
Mbonambi’s arrival provides Dobson with another experienced option, although the Stormers have not confirmed whether he will be involved in the match.
The Stormers host Ulster at DHL Stadium on Saturday, 31 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 14:45.
