Fitting in quite comfortably
Stormers hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi is relishing the opportunity of going up against Springbok Bismarck du Plessis when the Sharks head to Newlands.
Du Plessis is rated as the number one hooker in the country and the Cape side's newly-acquired hooker is keen to test himself against the best the country has to offer.
"It is a good opportunity [for me] to go up against Bismarck [du Plessis]. It is a challenge I am looking forward to as he is rated as the best in the country, so it is going to be an awesome challenge to play against him and to test myself [against him] in different areas of the park," he said.
Mbonambi was handed his first start for the Stormers in the 22-19 win over the Lions in Johannesburg and felt that despite the tough game, his side did well to fight it out until the bitter end.
"Getting my first start was tough, especially up in Joburg because it is always tough up there but I am happy with my performance and the performance of the team to show fighting spirit until the final whistle.
"I am really enjoying myself in Cape Town at such an awesome Union that has a massive family vibe," he added.
Despite being preferred to Siyabonga Ntubeni in the starting XV, Mbonambi does not believe he is in the driving seat to retain the No.2 jersey as all four hookers have a fair chance at staking a claim for the position.
"There is no way I can say that I am in the driving seat for a regular starting berth. Competition for the position is pretty tough as anyone of the four hookers can start at any given time, so it is not easy to say I will be in the starting XV for the rest of the season," he stated.
With the possible return of Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth to the starting XV, a different lock pairing could be seen as a problem at the line-out but it does not phase Mbonambi as he feels his job is simply to find the jumper, regardless of who it is.
"At line-out time, the hooker's job is simple: throw the ball in straight and find the jumper, no matter who it is. Yes, there are certain differences between the various jumpers but that is why we train during the week.
"Plenty of time is spent working on timing and linking up with the jumpers and it is exciting to work with the different locks because everyone is fitting in quite comfortably with each other," he said.
By Tauriq Ebrahim
