‘No comment!’
That curt response at a formal media briefing deepened the mystery and perplexity surrounding double World Cup winner Bongi Mbonambi’s ongoing absence from the Sharks.
After the 35-year-old, 82-times-capped hooker’s name appeared on a list of Sharks players currently ‘not available’ for selection, the inevitable question was: “Why not?”
However, Sharks coach JP Pietersen responded twice simply and brusquely: “No comment!”
However, weekend media reports suggested Mbonambi is currently sidelined due to an ongoing internal disciplinary investigation at the Sharks and raised questions about his immediate future for both club and country.
According to the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport, he is under scrutiny by the Sharks for allegedly breaching team socialising and discipline protocols during a pre-season team-building trip.
Although reported to be physically fit to train and play, he has been excluded from Sharks training and matchday squads while the disciplinary hearing proceeds.
Mbonambi has not played a match since January 17, 2026, having previously dealt with lingering knee and lower-back issues that delayed his return earlier in the year.
According to the Rapport article, the Sharks leadership enforced a suspended selection policy, completely excluding the hooker from all training sessions and matchday squads while the formal disciplinary hearing proceeds.
The franchise has made it clear that institutional discipline takes precedence over matchday selection, leaving the star forward in a state of professional limbo.
His last Test appearance was against Wales in Cardiff on 25 November last year.
