Cape Town’s Stormers have reached into familiar territory to plug a gaping hole in their front row, with experienced Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi set to return to the franchise ahead of Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown against Ulster.
The World Cup winner’s expected arrival gives coach John Dobson a timely injection of international muscle as injuries, suspension and a shortage of specialist hookers threaten to turn the Stormers’ set-piece into a game of Russian roulette.
Mbonambi, 35, served the Stormers and Western Province with distinction between 2015 and 2021 before moving to the Sharks. His reported disciplinary difficulties at Durban’s franchise have since placed his future there under a cloud, with reports suggesting he faced a disciplinary hearing amid a bitter dispute over his contract.
The Stormers now appear poised to turn that uncertainty into an opportunity, bringing a battle-hardened forward back into familiar surroundings when their need is greatest.
For Mbonambi, the move could also reopen the door to Springbok selection as South Africa builds towards next year’s Rugby World Cup. Few auditions are more compelling than delivering under pressure when a team’s set-piece is creaking.
A front-row emergency
The Stormers’ hooker stocks were decimated during last weekend’s exhilarating 52-40 victory over the Scarlets at Cape Town Stadium. Andre-Hugo Venter injured his elbow, Deon Fourie suffered a hamstring injury and Lukhanyo Vokozela sustained a concussion. JJ Kotze is also suspended.
That left Vernon Paulo as the only available senior hooker, with teenage prospect Altus Rabe, who celebrated his 19th birthday earlier this month, thrust into contention for Saturday’s match, which kicks off at 14:45.
The club has also called veteran Scarra Ntubeni out of retirement to provide emergency cover during training.
Stormers attack coach Labeeb Levy explained on Tuesday that Ntubeni would be their third-choice option, principally as insurance against an injury during training or the pre-match warm-up.
“His fitness could be better as he was in retirement,” Levy said. “But he also trained [with us] a few weeks ago. But he’s just a stopgap, a medical joker, in case something happens.”
Levy said the available hookers were working through the details of lineouts, scrum setups and the team’s attacking structure.
“We’ve got those three hookers for now and they must step up,” he said.
With the Stormers expected to name their team on Wednesday, Ntubeni is unlikely to feature in the match-day squad this week.
The lineout alarm bells
Paulo and Rabe face an immediate examination of their throwing accuracy, with the Stormers’ recent lineout struggles providing an uncomfortable reminder of what is at stake.
During their 13-17 defeat by Edinburgh in Scotland, the Cape side lost nine of 21 lineouts after Paulo replaced Venter early in the match. Dobson later pointed out that analysis showed only three of those lost possessions resulted from Paulo’s throws, suggesting the problem extended beyond the hooker.
Still, Ulster will be alert to any weakness in the Stormers’ aerial arsenal. At this level, a crooked throw can be the difference between building pressure and handing the opposition a golden ticket.
There is encouraging news elsewhere. Captain and outside centre Ruhan Nel could return after missing the Bristol Bears and Scarlets matches with a calf injury.
“He’s very much part of the discussion. He’s been given the best possible chance to play this week,” Levy said.
Nel was due to train on Tuesday before a final decision, with Levy adding that the captain was keen to return.
For Dobson, Mbonambi’s expected arrival could scarcely be better timed. The Stormers need experience, authority and reliable set-piece execution as they prepare for a formidable Ulster challenge.
In rugby, fortune favours the prepared scrum. The Stormers will hope their returning World Cup winner can help steady the ship before their hooker shortage becomes a season-defining headache.
