Mbonambi: Sharks’ Springbok star could be out for the season

As the dust settles on the Rugby World Cup, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Springboks’ win did come at a cost, with Sharks hooker Bongi Mbonambi suffering a serious knee injury in the early stages of the title decider.

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There has been no official confirmation of how long he will be out for, but he has been seen wearing a knee brace, and that sort of injury generally requires a good few months of recovery and rehabilitation.

There is now an indication that it is an ACL knee injury, and renowned rugby writer Hendrik Cronje has shared that Sharks coach John Plumtree is concerned Mbonambi may not be available for the season.

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John Plumtree is worried about Bongi Mbonambi’s injury. The Sharks still need to determine if he will be available for the season. Vincent Koch is also injured. pic.twitter.com/n6Rf7l5jcA

— Hendrik Cronjé (@hendrikcronje71) November 15, 2023

With the Sharks having made a slow start to the URC, the potential long-term absence of Mbonambi does come as a blow, especially considering another new Bok recruit – Vincent Koch – is also sidelined with a knee injury as well.

In total, the Sharks have in fact listed as many as 12 players out with injury, with other big names such as Vincent Tshituka, Curwin Bosch and Francois Hougaard joining Mbonambi and Koch on the sidelines.

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PLAYERS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SHARKS SELECTION DUE TO INJURY, INCLUDING MBONAMBI:

Bongi Mbonambi

Eduan Keyter

Le Roux Roets

Muller du Plessis

Nevaldo Fleurs

Francois Hougaard

Reniel Hugo

Vincent Koch

Vincent Tshituka

Curwin Bosch

Kerron van Vuuren

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WHEN WILL BOK PLAYERS BE BACK IN THE URC

In a press release issued by the URC last week, it was confirmed that South Africa’s World Cup Springboks “are only likely to all be back for their franchises by the end of the month, and in some cases only in December”.

Franchises were told that the World Cup players, who only recently finished their trophy tour, would be given an enforced three week rest, whereafter they would be available for their franchises once again.

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