The Springboks recently wrapped up their first national alignment camp of the year, where players and management gathered for a series of in-depth sessions outlining the team\u2019s strategic priorities and the coaching staff\u2019s expectations ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
Win 2027 Six Nations tickets<\/a> with ISUZU<\/p>\n While much of the spotlight fell on the 11 uncapped players who were invited to attend the camp, the absence of several experienced campaigners also caught the eye. <\/p>\n Notably, a handful of senior players were omitted from the gathering, including hooker Bongi Mbonambi, props Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane, and veteran fullback Willie le Roux.<\/p>\n Bongi Mbonambi: Bok front-row enforcer<\/p>\n Bongi Mbonambi is one of South Africa\u2019s most experienced hookers and a long-standing member of the Springboks pack. <\/p>\n Born in Bethal, Mpumalanga, he began his professional career with the Blue Bulls before making a name for himself at the Stormers and later the Sharks. Mbonambi made his Springbok debut in 2016 and has since become a regular in the national setup.<\/p>\n He played a key role in South Africa\u2019s Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023, forming part of a formidable front-row rotation. Known for his physicality, defensive work rate and reliability at the set piece, Mbonambi has been a cornerstone of the Springboks\u2019 forward dominance over the past decade.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE 2<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n