Rassie: Bongi was struggling

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says hooker Bongi Mbonambi was substituted before half-time against the Wallabies because he had emptied the tank.

Watch: Mbonambi on comeback

Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi talks about his recovery from a burst appendix earlier this year.

Boks ‘excited’ by depth at hooker

Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot says the competition building at hooker bodes well for the Boks, writes CRAIG LEWIS in Durban.

‘Bongi must play natural game’

Allister Coetzee admits that Bongi Mbonambi will bring something different to the hooker position in what will be the player’s first Test start on Saturday. JON CARDINELLI in Padua reports.

Watch: Springbok press conference

What Allister Coetzee, Francois Venter and Pieter-Steph du Toit had to say after Thursday’s team announcement in Padua.

Bongi in for Marx

Bongi Mbonambi will start his first-ever Test for the Boks in Saturday’s clash against Italy in Padua.