Bongi could be the lineout tonic that WP need
BONGI MBONAMBI’S release from the Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship can only do good for Western Province, who are hunting a bonus-point win in their two remaining fixtures to secure a Currie Cup playoff spot.
The hooker was one of five Bok squad players released on Monday, along with Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo, Bulls scrumhalf Rudy Paige, Lions hooker Malcolm Marx and Bulls prop Trevor Nyakane.
The Bok management team felt that the released players will benefit from additional training and game time with their respective Currie Cup sides.
WP, who have lost three of their six matches, have been plagued by injuries and the No 2 position has been a particular problem.
Scarra Ntubeni suffered an Achilles tendon injury against the Sharks that will keep him out for the rest of the season and the first half of next year’s Super Rugby competition, while Martin Ferreira and Chad Solomon are also on the injury list.
This led to Province recalling Michael Willemse, who was on loan to the Eastern Province Kings for the Currie Cup and featured for WP in the competition qualifiers, to fill the void at hooker.
Willemse’s first appearance for Province in the tournament proper this season was against the Golden Lions.
But it was a poor one, as the Cape side lost four of their own lineout throws, with Willemse and replacement hooker Neil Rautenbach failing to find their targets at Ellis Park.
And against the Pumas this past weekend, there was again an odd lineout throw or two by Willemse.
So Mbonambi’s return can be a massive boost for WP in a crucial area.
Prior to his inclusion in the Bok squad for the three-Test series against Ireland, Mbonambi had mostly started ahead of Ntubeni, who had been struggling to regain his form following continuous halts in momentum due to injury.
Mbonambi, although hot and cold at times, has generally produced decent performances for the Stormers this year.
And with WP travelling to Kimberley to face the Griquas tomorrow (7pm kickoff), the boost at hooker couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Griquas came short against the Blue Bulls at Loftus this past weekend, and the hosts used the lineout as a superb attacking base as they hammered the visitors 57-20.
If Province can get their lineouts in top shape, they can do the same against the fourthplaced Griquas.
Mbonambi is WP’s best bet at hooker and if he can add some stability to the set-piece, then John Dobson’s men will have an excellent attacking platform to use to their advantage tomorrow.