Overview
- The case stems from a pre-season team‑building stay at Bayala Private Safari Lodges before the Sharks' August 11 match when players were told they could socialise one evening but are said to have continued into the following morning.
- Mbonambi has been subject to a months-long internal disciplinary hearing with a presiding officer now due to issue a ruling in roughly two weeks.
- The veteran hooker is currently excluded from Sharks training and match selection despite reports he is fit to play, and coach JP Pietersen has declined to comment on his availability.
- Fellow players Fez Mbatha and Eduan Swart reportedly received written warnings and apologised while Trevor Nyakane may avoid sanction because he missed the meeting where rules were set.
- If found guilty, Mbonambi could face contract termination and the decision could also jeopardise his place in the Springboks for November Tests and his hopes of returning from long-term injury absences.