Double World Cup champion Bongi Mbonambi is back in green and gold, and the relief is written all over his face. After missing the Springboks’ record-breaking tour to New Zealand to deal with personal matters, the 34-year-old hooker has been recalled for Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale against Argentina at Twickenham.
Hungry To Play Again
Mbonambi’s last outing was in the bruising opener against the Wallabies at Ellis Park, where Australia stunned the Boks with a statement win. Since then, the hooker jersey has been shared between Malcolm Marx, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe.
For Mbonambi, returning to the squad is not about seniority but about earning his stripes once more.
“It’s always an honour and privilege to be in the team. When you’re not in the set-up, you really miss it,” he reflected this week.
He added that competition within the squad is healthy and necessary:
“There is competition in every position, but we love it. The coaches have shown that if you are good enough, they’ll pick you.”
Rising Stars Pushing Hard
South African rugby fans have been excited to see the growth of youngsters like Wessels and Van der Merwe. Mbonambi himself has been impressed, acknowledging that they’ve added fresh energy to the Springbok front row.
That kind of internal competition has become a cornerstone of Bok success, ensuring that even seasoned veterans like Mbonambi are pushed to bring their best every time they pull on the jersey.
Eyes On A Wounded Argentina
This weekend’s clash against Argentina will be no stroll. While the Boks ran away with the scoreline in Durban, Mbonambi reminded fans that the match was tighter than the scoreboard suggested.
“If you watch last week’s game, it wasn’t a walk in the park. Argentina will be hurting, and a lot can change in a week. We’re expecting a real arm-wrestle.”
At Twickenham, Los Pumas will come into the contest desperate to save face. For South Africa, it’s not just about the result but also about finishing the campaign with the right intensity ahead of an even bigger season to come.
Why It Matters
Mbonambi’s story is a reminder that the Springboks’ strength lies not just in individual brilliance but in the depth of the squad and the culture of accountability. At 34, he knows every opportunity could be his last in the green and gold. For fans, Saturday’s game is more than just a Rugby Championship closer – it’s a chance to watch one of South Africa’s most decorated hookers relish his comeback.
Source: SABC Sport
Image Source: The Springboks on X
