Bongi Mbonambi is yet to feature for the Sharks in the URC this season as a disciplinary process stemming from a pre-season incident continues to drag on, with a resolution expected within the next two weeks.
According to Rapport, the 35-year-old hooker was among a group of players who breached team rules set by coach JP Pietersen during a pre-season team-building trip at a private lodge — an incident that preceded the Sharks' clash against the All Blacks on August 11. Pietersen had sanctioned socialising on a Tuesday evening, but Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Fez Mbatha and Eduan Swart continued into Wednesday morning.
Mbatha and Swart are reported to have received written warnings. Nyakane is expected to escape punishment on the basis that he was absent when Pietersen communicated the rules. Mbonambi's case has taken longer to resolve, with his standing as a senior squad member cited as a factor in the extended process.
His last appearance on the field was in a Champions Cup match in January.