“There was never a time when I doubted my ability, even when some of the coaches were telling me I’d never progress beyond the age-group level. One day, I challenged one of those coaches by asking, ‘Why would you say something like that?’ He told me my size would count against me in professional rugby,” said Bongi.
| Name | Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi |
| Date of birth | 7 January 1991 |
| Place of birth | Bethlehem, Free State |
| Nationality | South African |
| Gender | Male |
| University | Tswane University of Technology |
| Profession | Rugby player |
| Position | Hooker |
| Height | 177 cm |
| Weight | 108 kg |
| Marital status | Married |
| Social media |
BRIEF BACKGROUND.
Mbongeni Mbonambi was born on 7 January 1991 in Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa. His father was a police officer and played baseball, while his mother is said to be a nurse who played tennis in her younger years. He attended St Alban’s College and Tshwane University of Technology.
The prominent Springbok player stands at 177 centimeters and weighs 108 kilograms. He has black hair and dark brown eyes. Mbonambi is married to his long-term girlfriend, Anastacia. The two got married in 2017 at Webersburg wine estate and they have a daughter together.
CAREER.
Bongi Mbonambi is a South African-based professional rugby union player, currently playing for the Sharks as a hooker and the South Africa national rugby team. He developed a passion for rugby when he was very young. Bongi trained in the game and showed great potential to improve while he was still a teenager.
In 2007, he played for the Griffons. In 2011 he played for the TUT Vikings and the Under 20 Springboks in the 2011 IRB Junior World Cup. Mbonambi played for the Blue Bulls from 2008 to 2014 and the star joined Up Tuks in 2013, where he maintained his position.
Mbonambi made his senior debut during the 2012 Super Rugby season against the Crusaders. His outstanding performance in the rugby sport made bigger teams show interest in him. In 2015, Bongi joined the Stormers and he also played for the Western Province. Although he faced challenges due to his small height, he never doubted his ability.
Mbonambi was included in the South Africa’s squad for the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. Towards the end of 2023 in October, the English rugby player Tom Curry accused Bongi Mbonambi of using a racial slur against him in their semi-final clash. However, the case was closed after finding insufficient evidence during investigations.
INJURY.
Mbonambi, a twice Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok player, had to be sidelined for six months after sustaining a knee injury. This was after an opponent from All Blacks, Shannon Frizell, landed on his standing leg at the breakdown, earning the latter a yellow card.