Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi (born 7 January 1991), known mononymously as Bongi, is a South African professional rugby union player. He currently plays as a hooker for the Sharks as well as the South Africa national rugby team. He previously played for the Blue Bulls, making his senior debut during the 2012 Super Rugby season against the Crusaders in Pretoria. Mbonambi was a member of the South Africa Under 20 team that competed in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.^[2]

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Quick Facts Full name, Date of birth ...

Bongi Mbonambi

Full name	Mbongeni Theo Mbonambi
Date of birth	(1991-01-07) 7 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birth	Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight	108 kg (17 st 0 lb; 238 lb)[1]
School	St. Alban's College
University	TUT
Spouse	Anastacia Mbonambi ​ (m. 2017)​
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Current team Sharks / Sharks (Currie Cup) Youth career 2007 Griffons 2008–2012 Blue Bulls Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2011 TUT Vikings 3 (0) 2013–2014 UP Tuks 8 (5) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2012–2014 Blue Bulls 30 (5) 2012–2014 Bulls 15 (0) 2015–2021 Stormers 73 (25) 2015–2021 Western Province 29 (30) 2021– Sharks 19 (50) Correct as of 1 January 2023 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2009 South Africa Schools 2011 South Africa Under-20 5 (0) 2016–present South Africa 67 (65) 2016 Springbok XV 1 (0) Correct as of 22 October 2023
Medal record Men's Rugby union Representing  South Africa Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan Squad 2023 France Squad

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On 28 May 2016, Mbonambi was included in a 31-man South Africa squad for their three-test match series against a touring Ireland team.^[3]

Mbonambi was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.^[4] South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating England 32-12 in the final.^[5]

Mbonambi was also named in South Africa's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In the semi-final against England on 21 October, Mbonambi was accused of making a racial slur against Tom Curry.^[6] It was speculated that Mbonambi used the term "wit kant" in afrikaans meaning "white side".^[7] After investigating the allegation, World Rugby found insufficient evidence and closed the case.^[8]

Mbonambi said: "I think it is a very sad thing when you live in a first world country [England], you think the rest of the world speaks English.

"It was unprofessional on their part. They could have gone on a website and looked for an English dictionary and looked for the word in Afrikaans.

"People understood [in South Africa] but obviously their side was misunderstood."^[9]