Bongi Mbonambi

Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi (born 7 January 1991), known mononymously as Bongi, is a South African professional rugby union player. He currently plays as a hooker for the Sharks as well as the South Africa national rugby team. He previously played for the Blue Bulls, making his senior debut during the 2012 Super Rugby season against the Crusaders in Pretoria. Mbonambi was a member of the South Africa Under 20 team that competed in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.^[2]

Bongi Mbonambi

Full name	Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi
Date of birth	(1991-01-07) 7 January 1991 (age 34)
Place of birth	Bethlehem, Orange Free State, South Africa
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight	108 kg (17 st 0 lb; 238 lb)[1]
School	St. Alban's College
University	TUT
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Current team Sharks / Sharks (Currie Cup) Youth career 2007 Griffons 2008–2012 Blue Bulls Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2011 TUT Vikings 3 (0) 2013–2014 UP Tuks 8 (5) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012–2014 Blue Bulls 30 (5) 2012–2014 Bulls 15 (0) 2015–2021 Stormers 73 (25) 2015–2021 Western Province 29 (30) 2021– Sharks 40 (95) Correct as of 25 January 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2009 South Africa Schools 2011 South Africa Under-20 5 (0) 2016–present South Africa 78 (70) 2016 Springbok XV 1 (0) Correct as of 31 August 2024
Medal record Men's Rugby union Representing  South Africa Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Squad 2023 France Squad

International rugby

On 28 May 2016, Mbonambi was included in a 31-man South Africa squad for their three-test match series against a touring Ireland team.^[3] Mbonambi was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.^[4] South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating England 32-12 in the final.^[5] Mbonambi was also named in South Africa's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

In the semi-final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against England, Mbonambi was accused of making a racial slur against Tom Curry.^[6] It was speculated that Mbonambi used the term "wit kant" in Afrikaans, meaning "white side".^[7] After investigating the allegation, World Rugby found insufficient evidence and closed the case.^[8][9]