Bok captain's journey from Bethlehem

SPOTLIGHT: They say the best skill of a great leader is to listen to those around him.

Newly appointed Springbok captain Bongi Mbonambi has put that to task in the build-up to the warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires this weekend.

Mbonambi told a media briefing on Friday that front row forward Steven Kitshoff has been in his ear at training this week.

@rugby365 asked Mbonambi if he had reached out to Bok captain Siya Kolisi for advice this week.

“Siya did send me a message encouraging and congratulating me,” Mbonambi said.

“Outside of Siya there are other leaders in this team. We’ve got guys like Lukhanyo Am in the backline, Jessie Kriel has also been here for years.

“And in the forwards pack it’s not just me. Even though he is not playing, I’ve got a guy like Steven Kitshoff who has always been in my ear this week and gave me some advice,” he revealed.

“We’ve got a massive leadership group and everyone has a role to play in this team. Me being captain is just me making sure that we’ve got the ref on our side and obviously having a clear line of communication and keeping it very respectable.

“Someone like Marvin Orie is one of the leaders in the line-outs when it comes to attack. We’ve got Jean Kleyn who is obviously working hard on being in the leadership when it comes to defence.

“There are a lot of leaders in the group but when it comes to just one on one with the ref, it comes down to me making sure that the team is ready to go when it comes to game-time.”

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The 32-year-old Mbonambi was born in Bethlehem to a sporting family. His father boxed and played baseball and his mother played tennis while his brother and sister also excelled on the sporting field.

After school Mbonambi represented South Africa at Under-20 level at the 2011 Junior World Championship in Italy, where the Baby Boks finished fifth.

He started his professional career at the Bulls before moving to the Stormers in 2015. He joined the Sharks in 2021, following Kolisi to Durban.

“Growing up I would never have thought myself in this position. But obviously it has been a long journey for me.

“Some guys get it very quickly in their careers, some guys get it later in their careers. But, yes, I am really honoured and privileged.

“I know my parents are proud and all my family and supporters are very proud of me. I have been getting a lot of messages this week.”