Mbonambi to debut against Bulls
Springbok hooker and most recent Cell C Sharks recruit Bongi Mbonambi will make his debut in the side's Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby with the Bulls at Jonsson Kings Park on Friday night.
With the return of the Sharks' Springbok players, coach Sean Everitt has named close to his strongest possible side for the clash against the men from Pretoria.
Six players who were with the Boks will start for the Sharks with Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Sbu Nkosi all in the starting line-up.
“It’s great to have the Boks back with us,” Everitt said in a statement of Sharks website. “They’ve come back into the squad full of energy and enthusiasm and have acted like true professionals, returning to the Cell C Sharks showing great discipline and preparation from the Springboks, something they’ve passed on to the younger players.”
Having the experience of the Springboks will be a massive boost for the Sharks who know how strong the Bulls are. Also having spectators back in the stands is another big boost for the Sharks according to Everitt.
“While we’re up against a tough side in the Vodacom Bulls, this is a Cell C Sharks side that grew over the first four rounds of the URC and we’re looking forward to taking the Bulls on in front of our fans, even if it’s a limited number.
“It’s going to be great to have spectators cheering the Cell C Sharks on and I’m sure the players will deliver a performance fitting the gratitude they have for their support.”
Cell C Sharks
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 2 Bongi Mbonambi*, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 5 Hyron Andrews, 6 Siya Kolisi, 7 Jeandre Labuschagne, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Lukhanyo Am (c), 13 Jeremy Ward, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Anthony Volmink.
Replacements
16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Tito Bonilla, 23 Werner Kok.
*Denotes debut for the Cell C Sharks
