Overview
- The Sharks are awaiting a presiding officer’s ruling that sources say is expected within roughly two weeks, a development first reported on Sunday that will decide the outcome of a months-long internal hearing.
- Mbonambi has been excluded from training and matchday squads while the process continues despite reports that he is fit to play.
- The case concerns an alleged breach of team rules at a pre-season team-building session at Bayala Private Safari Lodges where coach JP Pietersen had set limits on socialising and Mbonambi is reported to have stayed socialising into the following morning.
- Two teammates, Fez Mbatha and Eduan Swart, received written warnings and apologised after separate hearings, while Trevor Nyakane may avoid harsher sanction because he was not at the meeting where rules were outlined.
- If found guilty the Sharks could consider terminating his contract, a move that would also imperil Mbonambi’s immediate Springbok prospects for the November Tests and close the chapter on a 35-year-old, two-time World Cup winner who has battled recent injuries.