Sharks Confirm Bongi Mbonambi Exit After Disciplinary Dispute With Durban Club
- The Sharks confirmed Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi's departure on Wednesday after both parties agreed to end his contract with immediate effect
- Mbonambi had been at the centre of a disciplinary dispute with the Sharks over an alleged breach of team rules
- Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans addressed the two-time World Cup winner's exit in an official club statement
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The Sharks have officially parted ways with Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi, with the Durban club announcing on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, that his contract was terminated by mutual agreement with immediate effect.
The confirmation followed reports published a day earlier that Mbonambi was set to link up with the Stormers.
Disciplinary Dispute Behind the Exit
Prior to the announcement, Mbonambi had been absent from Sharks training sessions despite being physically fit to participate. The club's head coach JP Pietersen declined to publicly address the hooker's absence at the time. The situation was later revealed to involve an alleged breach of team rules, which triggered a disciplinary process between the two-time World Cup-winning hooker and the club.
Sharks CEO Shaun Bryans acknowledged Mbonambi's stature in South African rugby in the club's official statement.
"Bongi is a World Cup-winning Springbok whose contribution to South African rugby speaks for itself," Bryans said.
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"On behalf of everyone at the Sharks, I want to thank Bongi for his valued contribution to the club during his time in Durban. We wish Bongi every success in the next chapter of his career."
Mbonambi Expected to Join Stormers
Reports indicate that Mbonambi's next destination is the Stormers, the Cape Town-based franchise with whom he previously enjoyed success. The 33-year-old is regarded as one of South Africa's most experienced hookers and played a key role in the Springboks' back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023.
No further details regarding the terms of his expected Stormers agreement have been confirmed at this stage.
Source: Briefly News
