Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi, ahead of the nail-biting Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, has cast aside any presumptions of South Africa being the outright favorites. Despite South Africa leading the standings and being in striking distance of their first consecutive Rugby Championship title, Mbonambi warns against underestimating their South American counterparts.
The Springboks, after a resounding 67-30 victory over Argentina last weekend in Durban, top the table with 15 points, closely followed by New Zealand. However, Mbonambi emphasized the deceptive nature of the previous scoreline.
"If you watch last week’s game, you’ll see that it was not as easy as the score may suggest,"
he remarked, stressing the unpredictable nature of rugby and the fierce challenge expected from Los Pumas.
With the pundits tipping the Springboks as favorites, Mbonambi brushed off such labels, focusing instead on the task at hand.
"When you think you are on top, you can be humbled quickly, so we’ll respect them going into this match."
He expects a grueling contest, describing the upcoming match as an "arm-wrestle" and anticipates a driven Argentine side seeking redemption.
Mbonambi is set to return to the fray from the bench after missing four matches due to personal matters. His comeback is timed with the potential for the Boks to secure back-to-back titles, adding to the gravity of his return. He expressed his excitement about rejoining the team, highlighting the intense competition for places within the squad. "It’s always an honour and privilege to be in the team – when one is not in the set-up, you really miss it," he shared, acknowledging the strong performances of fellow hookers Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe in his absence.
The veteran's presence adds seasoned grit to the Springboks' lineup as they gear up for a critical showdown. With the team spirit high and the stakes even higher, this weekend's clash promises to be a spectacular finale to this year's Rugby Championship.
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Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi, ahead of the nail-biting Rugby Championship decider against Argentina at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, has cast aside any presumptions of South Africa being the outright favorites. Despite South Africa leading the standings and being in striking distance of their first consecutive Rugby Championship title, Mbonambi warns against underestimating their South American counterparts.
The Springboks, after a resounding 67-30 victory over Argentina last weekend in Durban, top the table with 15 points, closely followed by New Zealand. However, Mbonambi emphasized the deceptive nature of the previous scoreline.
"If you watch last week’s game, you’ll see that it was not as easy as the score may suggest,"
he remarked, stressing the unpredictable nature of rugby and the fierce challenge expected from Los Pumas.With the pundits tipping the Springboks as favorites, Mbonambi brushed off such labels, focusing instead on the task at hand.
"When you think you are on top, you can be humbled quickly, so we’ll respect them going into this match."
He expects a grueling contest, describing the upcoming match as an "arm-wrestle" and anticipates a driven Argentine side seeking redemption.Mbonambi is set to return to the fray from the bench after missing four matches due to personal matters. His comeback is timed with the potential for the Boks to secure back-to-back titles, adding to the gravity of his return. He expressed his excitement about rejoining the team, highlighting the intense competition for places within the squad. "It’s always an honour and privilege to be in the team – when one is not in the set-up, you really miss it," he shared, acknowledging the strong performances of fellow hookers Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Marnus van der Merwe in his absence.
The veteran's presence adds seasoned grit to the Springboks' lineup as they gear up for a critical showdown. With the team spirit high and the stakes even higher, this weekend's clash promises to be a spectacular finale to this year's Rugby Championship.