In a crucial decision with great implications for the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup (RWC) final, Bongi Mbonambi has been included in the Springboks‘ starting XV to face New Zealand.
Springboks include Bongi Mbonambi in Starting XV vs All Blacks
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber announced two major changes to the starting lineup for this crucial match.
He has recalled the 2019 final halfback pairing of Handré Pollard and Faf de Klerk, making them the most experienced nine-and-ten duo in Springbok history.
They will start together for the 25th time, surpassing the record set by Joost van der Westhuizen and Henry Honiball.
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“This is an experienced team with several players who played in the last Rugby World Cup final and who know exactly what to expect at Stade de France on Saturday and what it will take to retain the title,” said Nienaber.
WATCH – Bongi Mbonambi trains with Springboks ahead of crucial squad decision
The Springboks’ starting XV for the final features an array of experienced players.
The team has 10 players who started in the RWC final four years ago and holds the record for the most experienced team in Springbok history with 987 combined caps.
This breaks their previous record of 895 caps set against England just a week ago.
Among the forwards, only Franco Mostert and Steven Kitshoff did not start the 2019 final.
Both played off the bench in that game. Mostert will pair with Eben Etzebeth, while Kitshoff joins the starting front row that includes Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe.
Bongi Mbonambi cleared by World Rugby
The decision to include Mbonambi was finalised hours after World Rugby cleared him of racism allegations made by England flanker Tom Curry.
In an official statement, World Rugby announced that “there is insufficient evidence at this time to proceed with charges,” effectively closing the case unless new evidence emerges.
“It is important to note that World Rugby accepts that Tom Curry made the allegations in good faith, and that there is no suggestion that the allegation was deliberately false or malicious,” the global rugby organisation wrote.
Captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Duane Vermeulen will again form a strong loose trio.
Pollard and De Klerk, who were on the bench in the semi-final against England, will replace Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach. These changes result in a bench split of seven forwards and one back.
The Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and New Zealand is set to take place on Saturday, 28 October 2023, at 21:00 CAT.
